Citation

Nelstrop AM. J. R. Army Med. Corps 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Royal Navy, Portsmouth PO2 8DX, UK Andy.nelstrop400@mod.gov.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, UK Royal Army Medical Corps)

DOI

10.1136/jramc-2018-001138

PMID

30612102

Abstract

Operation RUMAN was the UK response in the Autumn of 2017 to the Category 5 Hurricane IRMA, which affected the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean. The Joint Operations Area (JOA) spanned an archipelago of Islands over 1000 nm across, stretching logistical and medical doctrinal clinical timelines in a rapidly changing and generally high risk medical environment. Despite significant challenges and a relatively suboptimal start line position, the Operation was a success from a medical perspective, with lower than expected dNBI rates. This paper, written from the medical Operational in-Theatre HQ perspective, charts the phases of Operation RUMAN during Planning, Execution and Recovery. It examines the context and lessons that arose from the Operation RUMAN that could inform future fast-moving Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Language: en

Keywords

irma; medicine; military