WM Features

Lance Corporal Tom Neathway

The military wing of the Birmingham-based hospital is the first port of call for the majority of British soldiers wounded in Afghanistan.

Currently there are 31 on the wards and some of them have suffered horrendous injuries on the battlefield. Troops wounded in Afghanistan are flown to the nearby Birmingham International Airport, before being rushed to the unit.

"It's important that we're close to the airport," said Helen Jyves.  "It's important that we've got all of the services under one roof between here and the QE.

"We get 12 hours notice that they're coming and we're all here ready for them and to receive them and to start this part of their pathway.

Helen Jyves, Critical Care Matron

"We're very lucky because we have all the services, we can treat any type of patient, any type of injury here. Anything from burns, head injuries, liver injuries, limb injuries, eyes; you name it, we've got the ability under this trust to be able to treat them all."

Figures released by the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday 23rd September 2009 have revealed that the unit is now treating more injured troops than ever before.

"It's true: we have had a very busy couple of months," said Helen.  "But we're an extremely big trust.  We're coping, we're doing very well. We're working in partnership with the military and we work beside each other. We have got enough room and we don't fail of our NHS care and we deliver a good standard of care to the military on top."

Recently, the MOD allowed BBC television into the unit for the first time. Footage they captured is part of a new documentary, called 'Wounded', that follows the rehabilitation for two soldiers who were severely injured in Afghanistan.

Soldiers on parade

Whilst the two lads are now rebuilding their lives, some aren't as lucky. Helen and her team have to face the harsh reality of patients dying on their wards, some just youngsters in their late teens.

"Any death is difficult," she said. "If you ask any nurse they'll say: 'That's hard.' But these are young, fit healthy lads who were doing their job. They know the risks when they go out there but you just don't expect the reality of those deaths. We get attached to the patients, we also get attached to the families.

"They're going though a horrendous time, something that they never dreamt would be thrust upon them. The patients don't tend to remember the critical care early but the relatives. This is their worst nightmare.

"You know that they've got many years ahead of them of dealing with those injuries and trying to get back to a normal life. They're desperate to get back to Afghanistan and that's what drives them."

19-year-old Ranger Andy Allen

'Wounded' airs on BBC 1 at 9pm on Wednesday 23rd September 2009. One of the soldiers treated had his right leg blown off and his eyes badly burnt by an improvised explosive device; the other troop lost three limbs after moving a booby-trapped sandbag.

What does Helen think the reaction will be to the documentary?

"I hope the public will react (after seeing the documentary) in the same way that we have in that we're very proud of what we do, we're very proud of what the military staff are doing out in Afghanistan. The program is very brutal. There's nothing left to the imagination. It's the reality of what we have to deal with and what the patients have to live with."

During BBC WM's Phil Upton @ Breakfast Show on 23rd September 2009, listeners sent in moving tributes to our troops. Read some of them below and add your own: