UK hands over modernised rehabilitation wards to Ukraine Armed Forces

UK hands over final modernised medical rehabilitation wards to Ukraine's Armed Forces under Project Renovator, following two-year Defence collaboration.

A bathroom before and after modernisation. MOD Crown Copyright

The UK has handed over the last of five modernised medical rehabilitation wards to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as part of Project Renovator. Defence Equipment and Support and the Defence Medical Services have been working together for two years on this project, and representatives were on site to sign the formal handover documents.

Renovator is a NATO funded project to expand Ukraine’s military medical rehabilitation services and help troops who suffered life-changing injuries to return to the frontline and help them readjust to civilian life. The UK was the first nation to join the project, responsible for refurbishing, equipping and providing training to one site, and providing urgent support to the other sites as they awaited NATO partners. Norway, Sweden, Lithuania and Latvia have now joined the project and the UK is working alongside them to deliver a fully integrated rehabilitation capability for Ukraine.

Nearly all core work for the project has now been delivered, including; two heating and hot water systems to enhance resilience at two sites; five modernised wards with accommodation, treatment spaces and staff facilities; a range of physical training kit, clinical equipment and diagnostics capabilities to support rehabilitation and training; and four deployed training teams providing specialist clinical shoulder-to-shoulder mentoring and training.  The project has increased bed capacity by 250, and delivered over 21,000 items of equipment.  The final element before achievement of Full Operating Capability will be the installation of a modern CT scanner to enhance diagnostics for complex trauma injuries.

Colonel Simon Doyle, the Renovator Project Director said: