Ex Medical Endeavour: NHS teams swap scrubs for military-style scenarios on Dartmoor

Healthcare professionals from the south and southwest of England have had the chance to try out being military medics during Exercise Medical Endeavour at Okehampton Training Camp on Dartmoor. 

The exercise, which happens every year, sees NHS teams move from their clinical environments to military-style scenarios created to test their resilience, teamwork and leadership. 

The drills, hosted by 243 Multi-Role Medical Regiment, come after two former Armed Forces surgeons general raised concerns about the country's ability to deal with casualties if a war were to break out. 

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More than 16 teams from NHS trusts and healthcare organisations took part in two days of physical and mental challenges, led by personnel from the British Army's Volunteer Reserve Force. 

"This takes participants out of their comfort zone, gives them a taste of military life and makes them realise that they can achieve more than they think they can," said Warrant Officer Class One Jane Hosker, 243 Multi-Role Medical Regiment. 

"There are several medical professionals here as Army Reservists who started out on an exercise just like this one."

The groups of eight got through realistic activities including caring for casualties whilst under fire, casualty management, and military problem-solving scenarios, like map reading and navigational skills whilst blindfolded, and finished the camp's obstacle course. 

The teams had to demonstrate key skills required both on the battlefield and in hospitals, clinics, and operational environments, such as clear communication, situational awareness, leadership, and decision-making under pressure. 

Nathani Ogbu, a doctor at Torbay Hospital, Devon, who has previous experience working with the military in Nigeria, is currently applying to join the Army Reserve Force. 

"I'll be able to take elements from this weekend and use [them in my] day-to-day work," she said. 

"I'm looking forward to combining my medical skills within a military environment in the future."

Kernow Health, a team from Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, won the overall competition during Ex Medical Endeavour.