HMS Illustrious, OCEAN WAVE 97 and the medical branch.

As can be seen from the statistics, the challenges to all medical staff involved in OW97 were considerable. It is to the combined credit of all RN and RFA medical staff that a high standard of medical care was provided throughout the deployment. All operational casualties were treated correctly and without delay and most have made full recovery. Moreover, the varied general naval experience, foreign travel, new colleagues and friends gained from Global deployments such as this is something to be recommended. The authors wish to extend their thanks to all medical staff involved in OW97. Their support and hard work contributed significantly to make the medical aspects of the deployment such a success.