THE challenging conditions experienced by hospital staff at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan were revealed to members of Yelverton Ladies Open Group recently.

The inspiring talk was given by Surgeon Captain Andy Burgess, a consultant anaesthetist currently deployed at Derriford Hospital but someone who has latterly spent considerable periods of his career  in Afghanistan at the British Hospital base of Camp Bastion in Helmand province. 

Captain Burgess spoke movingly about the country, one of the world's poorest and least developed, about life on the base and particularly about the bravery and camaraderie of the men subjected to a barrage of IED snipers and suffering from a horrifying number of serious injuries often involving the amputation of up to three limbs and major traumas. 

On a more positive note he outlined the fantastic facilities afforded by this multi-national hospital and the highly effective and speedy way in which casualties are transported from the front line, given damage controlled treatment and surgery and flown back home within 24 hours.

The group's next meeting today (Thursday) will be the Christmas party. 

After the break, meetings will resume on Thursday, January 13 with a talk at 7.45pm in the Yelverton War Memorial Hall by Sheila Phillips, on amateur dramatics. 

New members are welcome.  For further details please ring 01822 852 636.