THE SEVEN STAGES OF THE MEDICAL CARE PATHWAY
The RAF prides itself on providing the best medical service to personnel injured on operations .
1 BATTLEFIELD
Injuries on the battlefield are attended to by a team medic who is specially trained to deliver ‘ enhanced first aid ’. They carry a variety of medical equipment , anything from bandages to morphine . If an evacuation is required , a call for assistance is made to base .
4
AEROMED FLIGHT TO THE UK
Patients who require further medical care are evacuated to the UK aboard specially equipped RAF aircraft . The aeromed teams are trained to deal with patients and their conditions whilst in the air . This will include the impact of altitude on their condition .
5
UK HOSPITAL
Patients are usually taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham , where NHS staff are supported by an additional 120 military personnel . When clinically appropriate , Armed Forces ’ patients are cared for in a militarymanaged ward .
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