'Wounded' Temporary Exhibition

About

The exhibition is titled 'Wounded', and discusses conflict and injury, and looks at the impact of the recent conflict in Afghanistan on soldiers, including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices.

Within modern conflicts, expert medical training is combined with leadership skills to play an integral role in coordinating large-scale trauma situations and humanitarian operations.

Medical support to members of the British Army is provided by the Army Medical Services which comprises: the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, the Royal Army Dental Corps, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps and the Royal Army Medical Corps, which is the largest of these units. Territorial Battalions also utilise civilian medical staff in order to use their expertise to contribute to medical provision of soldiers within the theatre of war.

Modern conflict has brought with it a need for a greater range of medical services. Improvised explosive devices (roadside bombs) being constructed and deployed in terrorist actions and in unconventional guerrilla warfare has made the theatre of operations a dangerous place to be for the soldier, with many soldiers being physically wounded by these devices. Some of these soldiers face injuries as severe as loss of limbs. Quick access to medical care is an integral part of aiding wounded soldiers, as well as those who may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which significantly impacts on the well-being of those diagnosed with this. The impact of modern warfare has led to the establishment of many organisations specialising in the rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces.

This exhibition looks at the treatment of soldiers on the front-line, using objects from The Boer War and the First World War. There will also be items on loan from the British Red Cross Museum.