Surgeon leaves for Afghanistan

A doctor from the region leaves today to run the army hospital at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

Colonel Ben Banerjee is a surgeon at Sunderland Royal Hospital but is also a member of the Territorial Army.

Civilians provide additional cover to the armed forces during times of conflict and Sunderland Royal has allowed four of its surgeons on tours of duty - a large commitment from one hospital.

You can watch the full report from Julia Barthram below.

Sunderland Royal Hospital has four staff surgeons who are also reservists for the armed forces. With the backing of the hospital they have taken part in nine tours of duty to places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Consultant surgeon, Colonel Ben Banerjee, leaves today to become Medical Director at Camp Bastion. For a three month tour of duty he'll be in charge of all trauma care for Helmand Province, dealing with hundreds of injured soldiers and civilians.

A surgeon from Sunderland leaves today to run the hospital at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. As well as working at Sunderland Royal Hospital Colonel Ben Banerjee is a member of the Territorial Army. This is his fourth tour of duty and he'll be in charge of all trauma care in Helmand Province.

He's one of four surgeon's from Sunderland who are members of the reserve forces. The Hospital has allowed them to take part in nine tours of duty.