On the 12th July 2024, 68 members of 256 MMR deployed to Nijmegen, Netherlands to provide real life medical support to over 800 British Marching Troops walking 100 miles over four days on the Nijmegen Marches. Four medical support sites were set up in total, a large static treatment facility on the main Heumensoord Camp, which was led by the host nation and three satellite facilities, which were relocated daily, to a strategic site on the walking route, to support those who were marching. Over 600 marchers were seen and treated, with the majority requiring help with footcare and musculoskeletal injuries.
While our team were providing care predominantly to the British contingent, multiple nations were also marching, so there were multiple nations providing medical support at any one time. The nations worked collaboratively, generating team spirit and camaraderie in spades which is core to the Nijmegen ethos. While the healthcare conditions seen were low level, and the time in country relatively short, it allowed the unit to exercise its pre- deployment processes and its deployed command and clinical systems. This was particularly beneficial for the satellite sites who were setting up, treating troops, closing down and moving daily. The teams tested and adjusted their systems and processes on a daily basis, making it adaptable and resilient to meet the changing demands of the environment. This was clearly illustrated on the last day of marching when the route was adapted to mitigate for the rising temperatures and a 4th satellite facility was deployed.
Whilst in Nijmegen the unit teams were visited by Regional Command, our Hon Col and our affiliated London Livery Companies. The feedback from the teams, walkers and the British Military Contingent organisers was hugely positive making the deployment very successful and something 256 MMR feel very honoured to have taken part in.
– Captain Samara Hammond, 256 Multi-Role Medical Regiment