'MASH' Unit Praised

The NI equivalent to the US Mobile Army Surgical Units made famous in the iconic movie and long-running TV series, M*A*S*H, has come in for praise.

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey - who has just visited Afghanistan to see at first hand the work of local soldiers and healthcare staff deployed to work in field hospitals in Helmand Province - was this week full of praise for the Territorial Army 'part-time' volunteers.

The Minister met both with members of the regular Royal Irish Regiment and some of the 70 reservists who are members of the 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital (Volunteers) and who have been deployed to the UK Medical Group hospital at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province.

The reservists, from a wide range of specialisms across the health service are providing critical medical support to the armed forces and increasingly, to the citizens of Afghanistan.

The Minister said: "It is incredible to see the reach of our health service into such a conflict-ridden country as Afghanistan. It was a privilege to meet with all those reservists and those soldiers who are working in very difficult conditions to care for and treat those who have been injured in the conflict. I was deeply impressed by their bravery and the compassion and care they showed for all their patients."

During his visit, the Minister was also able to see at first hand the excellent facilities that staff are working in, with all the equipment you would expect to find in a hospital in Northern Ireland.

He said: "Since they arrived in Afghanistan in June, the reservists have dealt with around 600 admissions to the field hospital and carried out almost 400 operations."

He continued: "Many of those who were brought to the hospital were suffering from terrible injuries which sadly would be all too familiar to those health service staff who have worked in Northern Ireland for years. However, the expertise of the medical staff was outstanding and their skills in dealing with such traumatic injuries have been highly valued by both the armed forces and Afghan people," he said.

As well as visiting the Field Hospital, the Minister also received a briefing from members of the Royal Irish Regiment who are serving in Afghanistan.

The 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital (Volunteers) is Northern Ireland's only Territorial Army field hospital and will be deployed to Afghanistan from mid-July until October.

(BMcC)