Ukrainian clinicians enjoy ‘valuable’ learning during visit

Two Ukrainian clinicians have reflected on their time at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), sharing insights from a visit focused on trauma care, teamwork and long term joint work between the UK and Ukraine.

Dr Anatolii Bakarzhiiev, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Anna Troianska, Orthopaedic Scrub Nurse, spent a week at the Trust last month (March), primarily within the Trauma Service at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

They also spent time with the Oxford Shoulder & Elbow Unit and the Limb Reconstruction Service at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

Both clinicians, from Kyiv, observed complex surgery to save and reconstruct severely injured limbs, alongside seeing how patients are cared for in emergency and planned care settings.

They worked within multidisciplinary teams, gaining insight into how busy trauma services care for large numbers of seriously injured patients, plan rehabilitation and work closely across specialities to support patients.

The clinicians also shared their own experience of delivering healthcare under extreme pressure during conflict.

Anna Troianska said: "I was very impressed by the organisation and teamwork in the operating theatre at OUH. Many specialists contribute to each procedure, and the support from anaesthetists, radiologists and nursing and scrub staff is excellent.

"In Ukraine we often work with smaller teams and fewer resources, which has taught us to be very adaptable and efficient, but it was extremely valuable to see how a large multidisciplinary system operates in practice. I am very grateful for the opportunity to visit Oxford and learn from the experience."

Dr Anatolii Bakarzhiiev said: "I am sincerely thankful for this visit and the opportunity to see first-hand how British medicine works. The level of training of specialists, the organisation of patient care, and the overall culture of the system left a deep impression on me. I hope that our cooperation will continue to grow and bring benefits to both sides."

The visit builds on long‑standing links between OUH clinicians and Ukrainian trauma centres, supported by ongoing joint working and surgical support in Ukraine by Simon Hurst, Clinical Lead for the Oxford Trauma Service, and Sarah Tucker, Consultant Plastic Surgeon.

Simon Hurst said: "It was a privilege to host Anatolii and Anna and to share our approach to complex trauma, limb reconstruction and specialist upper limb surgery. We also learned a great deal from their experience of delivering high-volume trauma care under extraordinary pressures.

"Exchanges like this are incredibly valuable – they strengthen professional relationships, allow teams to learn from one another, and ultimately help improve care for patients in both countries."

The visit formed part of a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)‑supported programme, delivered as part of the UK-Ukraine 100‑Year Partnership, which brought 14 Ukrainian clinicians to NHS organisations across the UK.

Trust representatives met with colleagues from the wider NHS, military and government before visiting the Ukrainian Embassy in London, where they met the Ukrainian Ambassador to highlight the joint clinical work taking place with OUH. Simon and Sarah are due to return to Ukraine later in April to continue building on these relationships.

Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister, said: "Welcoming this cohort of Ukrainian clinicians to the UK is a proud moment for the NHS. Through our International Medical Partnerships initiative, we are sharing world class expertise while learning invaluable lessons about delivering care under pressure.

"This partnership demonstrates the very best of international healthcare cooperation, building lasting connections that will benefit patients."