Army medics put huge new field hospital to the test

Army medics in Hampshire have been testing a huge new multi-million pound mobile hospital unit.

33 Field Hospital have been taking part in Exercise JORVIK LOOK in Bordon, trialling Defence's new state of the art military hospital capability, known as Project HAPTIC.

Field Hospitals in the British Military often involved large tent-like structures, with canvas protection that can be erected in around 60 hours.

The hospital is designed to provide all-hazard capabilities

This new structure takes just under a week to put up and is larger - it would require well over 100 shipping containers to transport it. It has improved infrastructure that provides better medical treatment areas as well as new environment control capabilities.

It can also provide protection against Chemical, Biological and Radiological threats.

Gosport, 33 Field Hospital are currently the Vanguard Field Hospital, so are able to deploy worldwide at short notice to support UK contingency operations worldwide.

The hospital has four emergency department beds, two surgical beds, eight intensive care beds and 48 ward beds.

Watch Emma Wilkinson's full report:

Interviewees: Lt Col Simon Heppell (Deployed Medical Director) and Lt Col David Woodward (Commanding Officer, 33 Field Hospital)