Major General Tim Hodgetts, CBE, KHS, OStJ, MBBS, PhD, MBA- UK Surgeon General: Transforming Battlefield Medical Care and Leading Change in Military Medicine

    Discover the powerful journey of Major General Tim Hodgetts, the Surgeon General of the United Kingdom Defense Medical Services, in revolutionizing military Emergency Medicine, as he shares his experience in leading a contemporary revolution in combat casualty care, his principles for leadership, and the many benefits of a continuing partnership. In this fascinating conversation, Major General Hodgetts recounts how he demonstrated that the outcomes of a mixed military and civilian hospital in Kosovo were the same as those of a civilian hospital and how he established a telephone conference of all deployed Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs), paving the way for advancements in Military Medical care.

Uncover Major General Hodgetts' unique insights into multinational collaboration, the importance of interoperability, and standardization in the Armed Services as you listen to his experiences learning Danish and studying International Cultural Theory. Learn how he developed resilience for younger military personnel through sports psychology and mindfulness techniques and how he uses poetry and journaling in his personal life. Also, discover his innovative approach to setting up a Field Hospital simulation using actors to create realistic casualties.

Finally, explore the essential collaboration between the military and civilian sectors as Major General Hodgetts delves into the NATO Medical Support Capstone Concept and its potential impact on the National Health Service's Major Incident and Mass Casualty Guidelines. Listen in as he discusses how these guidelines were implemented and he reflects on his proudest career accomplishments and future plans. Don't miss this captivating and inspiring conversation with one of the most influential figures in Military Medicine.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

(0:00:00) - Military Medicine and Emergency Care

(0:10:01) - Revolutionizing Military Emergency Medicine

(0:21:52) -Multinational Collaboration

(0:28:06) - Military Medicine and Coping Mechanisms

(0:39:24) - Preparing for Civilian-Military Collaboration in Wartime

 

EPISODE CHAPTER SUMMARIES

(0:00:00) - Military Medicine and Emergency Care (10 Minutes)

 Major General Tim Hodgetts, the Surgeon General of the United Kingdom Defense Medical Services, is an expert in Emergency and Disaster Medicine and is the most senior uniformed medical officer within the UK armed forces. Major General Hodgetts shares how he led a contemporary revolution in combat casualty care, his principles for leadership, the similarities and differences between US and UK military health systems, and the many benefits of the continuing partnership. He also shares an inspiring story about the challenges he faced in developing the specialty of Military Emergency Medicine and his most memorable clinical case.

(0:10:01) - Revolutionizing Military Emergency Medicine (12 Minutes)

Major General Tim Hodgetts demonstrated that the outcomes of a mixed military and civilian hospital in Kosovo were the same as those of a civilian hospital. He established a telephone conference of all the deployed Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs), and a process for an acute clinician to attend post-mortem autopsies and coroner inquests. He was also able to push for changes in vehicle and personal protection and develop a trauma registry to review lessons learned in real time. George Bernard Shaw's quote of “progress is only made by unreasonable people” can be applied to the advancements made in Military Medical care.

(0:21:52) -Multinational Collaboration (6 Minutes)

Major General Tim Hodgetts shares his experience of learning Danish and studying International Cultural Theory to better understand the differences between nations. He also outlines the need for interoperability across the Armed Services of our own nations and the need for standardization in tactics, techniques, equipment, drugs, and treatment guidelines. Finally, we discuss the implications of Brigadier General David Ward's statement that there is no safe place on the battlefield and ways to cope with the stress of seeing horrific things.

(0:28:06) - Military Medicine and Coping Mechanisms (11 Minutes)

Major General Tim Hodgetts reflects on the importance of keeping a war diary and shares a piece of his own poetry. He also discusses the introduction of sports psychology and mindfulness techniques to develop resilience for younger personnel in the military. He further shares his experiences of setting up a Field Hospital simulation and using actors to create realistic casualties.

(0:39:24) - Preparing for Civilian-Military Collaboration in Wartime (8 Minutes)

Major General Tim Hodgetts shares the NATO Medical Support Capstone Concept and how the civilian sector may need to rely on the military for support. He discusses how the military has info