Naval Health Unit
The Naval Health Unit is the Navy's healthcare facility located at Devonport Naval Base. It provides primary healthcare to military personnel in order to ensure that they are prepared for operational outputs. All surgery and specialist care is outsourced and provided either by a private health care facility or through the public health care system.
Image right: Medic Branch Crest
The Naval Health Unit is also a training unit: although their academic training is at the Defence Health School at Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch, Medics gain 'on-the-job' training here. When Navy Medics are ashore, they are usually assigned to medical duties at the Naval Health Unit. They perform various medical duties that range from working in the outpatient department to providing medical cover to the Training Leadership Centre.
The Navy's Maritime Medical Development Unit operates from within the Naval Health Unit to provide first aid and military medicine training for all Defence personnel. This helps them in dealing with injured people in situations ranging from workplace injuries (First Aid) to combat situations (Advanced Casualty Care). Training is conducted by New Zealand Resuscitation Council qualified Navy instructors.
Image above: Navy Medics help during exercise.