Personnel from the Tactical Medical Wing have returned to RAF Brize Norton after deploying to support the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic, say the Royal Air Force.
In a news release that can be found here, the RAF say that the team of 10 medics joined many other personnel from across the UK Armed Forces who have deployed in a variety of roles to support Operation RESCRIPT; the Defence contribution to assist the UK’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Working alongside their medical colleagues from the Army and Royal Navy, the RAF Medics provided support to the NHS nursing team, performing basic nursing care and assisted with non-nursing duties. Their deployment, which began in January 2021, was to aid the NHS with the expansion of the Nightingale North West Hospital from one ward up to four wards.
Tactical Medical Wing is the operational hub for all RAF Medical Services (RAFMS). Their role is to train, equip and deploy RAFMS personnel as Force Elements in support of operations and exercises and to provide quality worldwide Aeromedical Evacuation services for UK Defence.”
Wing Commander Jo Bland, Officer Commanding Tactical Medical Wing, was quoted as saying:
“I am immensely proud of the continued efforts of the Tactical Medical Wing personnel who have deployed in support of the Nightingale Hospitals. Their rapid deployment in support of the national effort, providing specialist medical personnel to support the national response to COVID-19, has been exemplary, as has their drive and professionalism. They have deployed working as part of tri-Service teams and alongside their NHS colleagues to help ease the pressure on the NHS and undertake the mantra of all within the RAF Medical Services – To Save Life.”
