THE Minor Injuries Unit at Clacton Hospital received some rather unusual visitors last week when members of the Army’s 16 Medical Regiment turned up.

However, they were not in need of medical assistance, but were there at the invitation of local community healthcare provider, Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE), to conduct a rehearsal for a medical facility reconnaissance.

Three members of the Colchester-based regiment met with ACE staff as part of the exercise which was a rehearsal of what the regiment would do in the event of being required to help with a humanitarian disaster anywhere in the world.

Lt Col Nicola MacLeod, Brigade SMO at16 Medical Regiment, said: “In a theatre of operations, we would expect to send small teams to host nation medical facilities to identify the capability and capacity of local medical structures. Our visit to Clacton Hospital allowed our staff to practice the complex coordination between facilities and agencies which is required in a humanitarian disaster.

“We are very grateful to ACE for allowing us to use the Minor Injuries Unit at Clacton Hospital to carry out a rehearsal reconnaissance. The exercise aimed to identify capability and capacity of a host nation’s healthcare facility/service, assess utility of facility, equipment, vehicles and infrastructure, and reconnaissance of access and egress. In addition, it aims to help us identify and establish liaison with primary contacts.”

Lucy Booth, Minor Injuries Lead at ACE, said: “Our minor injuries units at Clacton and Harwich hospitals are much valued facilities for our local population but it’s rewarding to know we have been able to play a part in assisting the Army help people elsewhere in the world when they become in need of medical assistance. It was our pleasure to work with the team from 16 Medical Regiment and both sides are looking at ways we can work together in the future.”