An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 2024 has continued to be a time of high operational activity for the Defence Forces Medical Corps, both from the service delivery perspective of the Central Medical Unit and the policy & governance development of Medical Branch. On island, the CMU has delivered primary care, occupational medical, and pre-hospital emergency care services across all Defence Forces' installations, as well as at exercises, DF sporting events, and other operational taskings. Overseas commitments were also met by the Medical Sections in UNIFIL, the EUBG, and in UNDOF, prior to the withdrawal from that mission. A significant focus for the Medical Corps during 2024 has been the ongoing Medical Services Review being conducted by an external consultancy firm. This review arose out of one of the recommendations made in the Commission on Defence Forces Report. Personnel from across the Medical Corps have played a key role in informing the review, and helping to shape and develop the future medical services. The final report is expected to be produced towards the end of 2024, and a new focus for the Corps will be the implementation of the recommendations in 2025. One of the highlights of the year came at Exercise Arduous Serpent, which is the UK's Army Medical Services Tactical Training Exercise (AMSTTE). After many years of competitive participation, including numerous top three placings, the DF Medical Corps team won this year's competition, beating 14 teams from across the UK, the US, Norway, and Serbia in the process. The victory is a testament to the high standards of the clinical and military skills of DF medical personnel, which are the result of quality training and ongoing professional skills maintenance. Other notable highlights, that again reflect the professionalism, skill, and dedication of DF medical personnel, included Pte Nicole Carroll winning the Capt Dara Fitzpatrick Award from the Irish Paramedicine Education and Research Network, Comdt Tom Branigan and Capt Shane Brady winning the Clinical Poster Competition at the International Conference on Disaster and Military Medicine in Germany, Sgt Mick Barry joining the National Ambulance Service Paramedic Course Faculty, and members of the DF Mental Health Team and the DF Senior Physiotherapist being nominated for the DF Innovation Awards and the Irish Healthcare Awards (results not known at time of printing). The DF Medical Corps is looking forward to meeting the challenges of 2025, including the continued delivery of high quality care and medical treatment for DF patients, and the implementation of the recommendations from the Medical Services Review. MEDICAL CORPS BY COL ANTHONY CORCORAN Exercise Ardent Serpent winners 2024 Members of The National Ambulance Service and DF on an exercise in DFTC

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