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Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Answer

Chest seals are supplied in Team Medic Packs, which are issued from a central pool for both theatres. These are issued to personnel who have been trained to fulfil an extended first aid role within the unit only. The number of packs issued to a unit will depend on the operational context at any given time. There have been no shortages in fulfilling operational demands for chest seals. It is possible to provide data on the numbers issued from 2006 only when new information management structures were introduced in theatre. Quantities of chest seals issued to the supply sections of the respective theatres are as follows:

	Operation Telic	Operation Herrick
2006	67	294
2007	1,867	2,520

The increase in numbers does not correlate with usage and does not reflect a rise in the number of chest wounds within operational theatres as un-used chest seals can be reissued to incoming units and replacement is required when the packaging, is damaged. Additionally, the introduction of the Team Medic, a combat soldier who has been identified, trained and equipped to take charge of the treatment and evacuation of casualties, has also contributed to the increase in numbers.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

164546; 469 c1458-9W;469 c1459W

Session

2007-08

Registered interest declared

Yes

Subjects

Iraq Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk