Military healthcare challenges: deployed Role 1 healthcare delivery on Operation TRENTON. A personal view

BMJ Mil Health. 2021 Oct;167(5):345-349. doi: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001647. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Abstract

Op TRENTON is the UK response to support the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. This article documents a 5-month Engineering deployment after the UK Hospital had ended their mission and some of the medical challenges encountered. During this time, there were 2104 individual patient interactions recorded, with the main common illnesses being musculoskeletal injuries, gastrointestinal infection and dermatology. Given the nature of the tour, there were no battlefield-related injuries and trauma was limited to a handful of minor cases related to physical training or construction work. Recommendations for future deployments would include careful consideration of the required clinical skillsets, particularly identifying individuals who can undertake multiple secondary functions such as Primary Care Nurses, capable of patient care, ward management and Healthcare Governance.

Keywords: primary care; public health; rehabilitation medicine.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Military Personnel*
  • Religious Missions*
  • United Nations