Structuring a UK military role 1 medical treatment facility for a sustained mobile exercise in a hot desert environment: UK military exercise SAIF SAREEA 3

Abstract

Exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 (SS3) is a triservice combined joint training military Exercise between the UK and the Omani Armed forces. SS3 represented a rare opportunity to exercise a complete role 1 medical reception station (MRS) in a tented platform for a prolonged period providing ‘real life support’, as opposed to an exercise without casualties. This article is a discursive paper making recommendations for amendments to the established structure for the MRS within static high-temperature deployments. Considering the facility blueprint, recognising and implementing improvements to patient flow and increasing infection prevention control measures resulted in limiting the spread of disease outbreak. During the deployment there were considerable challenges delivering care in extreme heat above 50°C these included the use of environmental control units, white liners and refrigerator units which allowed care to be delivered throughout the day, and for the appropriate care of both casualties and medication. Finally, the article covers improved patient service with a paper-based triage system supporting innovative ideas to deliver care.