RAF Lakenheath, NHS partnership strengthens with time

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  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Surgeons and executives from Cambridge University Hospitals visited RAF Lakenheath Oct. 31 signifying another step toward strengthening a longstanding partnership between the United Kingdom’s National Health Service and the 48th Medical Group.

The visitors participated in a tour of the station’s hospital and the 493nd Fighter Squadron, designed to provide a deeper understanding of the 48th Fighter Wing’s medical and combat airpower capabilities, as well as its day-to-day role in caring for U.S. military members and their families.

American medical experts assigned to the 48th MDG have been working shoulder to shoulder with their British civilian counterparts in NHS facilities for over a decade. This cooperative effort began in 2001 with the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, but has since expanded to a total of five facilities including West Suffolk Hospital, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Royal London Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital.

“We saw the significant impact the program was having even on a relatively small scale and have been working over the past several years to expand it further,” said Col. William Malloy, 48th Medical Group hospital administrator. “I have been very encouraged by the overwhelming response from our Airmen, as well as from our partners in the NHS.”

One of the Air Force Medical Service’s primary focuses is ensuring medical Airmen have the skills and expertise necessary to provide care in deployed or expeditionary environments. Despite the support the RAF Lakenheath hospital provides its 35,000 military and dependent beneficiaries, a limited number of trauma and specialty surgery cases makes this a challenging task.

The clinical currency program, which was developed in tandem with NHS hospitals, is one way the medical group combats this, placing Air Force surgeons, nurses and medical technicians into British hospitals. This allows them to maintain their capabilities while providing a service within the communities they call home while stationed in England.

“RAF Lakenheath has a responsibility to prepare our medical experts for the battlefield, so they’re prepared to take care of our brothers and sisters in arms when called on to do so,” Malloy said. “This program is so much more than a convenient way for us to maintain our proficiency though. It’s a testament to both our nations’ shared dedication to the patients we serve.” 

In the past year, U.S. military surgeons have completed over 600 orthopedic, urology, ears, nose and throat, and general surgery procedures in NHS facilities. This also includes specialty trauma care provided by U.S. Army medical professionals.  

 “Having the Americans working in our hospital with us has been immensely beneficial for everyone involved, from the practitioners to the patients,” said Dr. Ashley Shaw, Cambridge University Hospitals executive medical director. “This has been tremendous for the NHS staff and the team at RAF Lakenheath. I am proud of the care we are providing together and am excited for what is to come next.”

Airmen who have participated in the program agree, claiming it is an invaluable tool in maintaining their readiness and ability to provide world-class care, while simultaneously pushing the limits of their knowledge.

“We are very lucky to have such a strong relationships within these hospitals,” said Maj. Chris Young, 48th MDG surgeon. “Whether it’s a totally new technique or an innovative way to tackle a common case, we’re learning things from each other every day.”

Together, both organizations are taking steps to ensure the future of the partnership in 2019 and beyond. Efforts including an expansion of qualified specialties, like respiratory therapy, anesthesia, emergency medicine, and various nursing specialties, and the development of a deliberate, long-term scheduling process will ensure a greater number of Airmen are able to participate moving forward.

The 48th MDG would also like to see full surgical teams comprised of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and technicians integrated into the NHS facilities, according to Malloy.

“We will continuing to look for way ways to grow and improve the program,” he said. “It’s an important way for us to maintain readiness, and we are so grateful for the trust and support our NHS partners have given us.”