Delivery of Maritime Medical Care for the Mediterranean Humanitarian Crisis

On the first day in August 2016 as a fully qualified GP Surgeon, Lieutenant Commander Will Sharp deployed as a single-handed doctor on HMS ENTERPRISE on OP LITTEN for 4 months. He led a small medical team in the rescue of thousands of migrants from the Mediterranean.

The small team were faced with all manner of illness and injury from the men, women and children rescued. From severe chemical burns and gunshot wounds to paediatric resuscitation and sepsis; the team was tested to their limits having to deliver care. Some rescues lasted over 60 hours – the largest being 712 people in a single day.

As a result of his work, Surgeon Lieutenant Sharp was appointed MBE on the Operational Honours list in recognition of his professionalism, considerable ingenuity and significant contribution to the success of this mission.

Speaker bio:

After joining the Royal Navy in 2005 as a medical cadet, he subsequently undertook his professional training within the NHS to qualify as a GP.  As a junior doctor, he spent three years supporting operational deployments that included time in the Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. He has deployed on a number of ships: HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS ARGYLL, RFA FORT VICTORIA and HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. He also provided medical support to the London 2012 Olympics.

Will has recently completed the Diploma of Aviation Medicine and been appointed as the RN Instructor at the Centre of Aviation Medicine at RAF HENLOW.  Future appointments will likely include the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.