British TA hospital unit passes evaluation

YORK, England, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- British army officials say a volunteer territorial army field hospital unit has been approved as ready for combat assignments in Afghanistan.

The 207 Manchester Field Hospital, a unit of volunteer medical professionals, recently passed an evaluation by British army assessors. Officials say the unit, which underwent training at the British military's Strensall medical training facility, proved it is ready to support troops operating close to the front line of combat in Afghanistan, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

The 207 field hospital unit underwent three days of tests to determine its ability to effectively react to battlefield incidents.

"Our hospital is as much about giving soldiers assurance as it is about treating them," Lt. Col. John Bennett said in a statement.

"The majority will never set foot in our (field) hospital, but they know that we are here. For the few who do come in, they know that we can save lives and limbs."