ARMY RESERVISTS DEPLOY TO SIERRA LEONE

Pictured: Medics are given a brief on correct use of Personal Protective Equipment.

 

Seventeen Army Reservists will deploy to Sierra Leone shortly and are receiving training at the Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC) in Strensall, near York to prepare them to deal with the Ebola virus.

 

The majority of the Reservists from all over the UK will work in the Ebola Virus Disease Treatment Unit in Kerrytown which provides treatment for healthcare workers who contract Ebola. The remainder of the Reservists will work in a military Role 2 field hospital in Freetown which provides (non Ebola) healthcare for UK military forces and entitled personnel.

 

The AMSTC has a bespoke training unit to provide all personnel deploying to Sierra Leone with an understanding of the protection and decontamination needed regardless of their role.

The Reservists will practice donning and removing (known as doffing) the protective clothing as well as working in it in increased temperatures simulating the in-country climate. They will also be taught the rigorous decontamination procedures as well as how to recognise the symptoms of the disease.

 

They will be joined in their training by groups of Canadian medical personnel who will deploy alongside the UK troops in Sierra Leone, as well as other UK military medical and generalist staff, and a small group of Danish clinicians being trained on behalf of the NGO GOAL.

 

NOTE TO DESKS:

MoD release authorised handout images.

All images remain Crown Copyright 2014.

Photo credit to read -Sgt Si Longworth RLC (Phot)

 

Email: simonlongworth@mediaops.army.mod.uk

richardwatt@mediaops.army.mod.uk

shanewilkinson@mediaops.army.mod.uk

 

Si Longworth - 07414 191994

Richard Watt - 07836 515306

Shane Wilkinson - 07901 590723

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