Active NHS staff stretch themselves
A TEAM of NHS staff mounted an operation with the Army – including a 12-hour cross-country challenge, target practice and a military fitness session.
Eight adventurous colleagues from across the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board area are recovering having put their talents to the test at this year’s Exercise Medical Stretch.
The annual challenge, run by 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital, brings together teams from all over NHS Wales, along with DVLA staff, for a series of tasks and challenges.
The ABMU team included Tracey Scogings, acute pain clinical nurse spe- cialist at Bridgend’s Princess of Wales Hospital, together with Abi Young, Ruth Davies, Sarah Hatfield and Meghann Reynolds, graduate trainee managers at Neath Port Talbot, Primary and Community Care, Singleton Hospital and Morriston Hospital respectively.
The health board has won the event for the past two years and will find out later on if they completed a hat-trick.
A spokeswoman for ABMU said: “This year’s event, hailed as the most challenging yet, saw 10 teams kicking off the weekend by spending the night in a disused aircraft hangar at the Caerwent Army base in Monmouthshire. After just four hours’ sleep, the team took part in a gruelling 12hour challenge involving navigation, cross-country hiking and a range of physically and mentally demanding timed tasks.
“This was followed by a rainy night spent sleeping in the Welsh forest in a makeshift shared bivi.
“In drier weather the following day, the team rounded off the weekend with a PT [physical training] session, half-mile team stretcher run over rolling hills and a stint on the shooting range.
“Despite suffering injuries and blisters and enduring saturated clothing, the team members not only managed to push themselves to their personal limits but also pulled together as a unit to persevere and successfully complete every challenge.”
Team member Meghann Reynolds said: “Although it was one of the toughest 48 hours we have ever endured, the shared experiences and personal accomplishments made every single second of pain and every single blister completely worthwhile.
“The weekend was brutal but brilliant, and I will definitely be signing up for next year and urge anyone who is curious to join me.”
Health bosses hope the staff will bring back teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills from the course.