Pat A Warren as a civilian Nurse Government Surgical Team interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Civilian Nurse, Government Surgical Team September 1968 to January 1969. Scene 37A, Take 1: Took over from team at civilian hospital in Bien Hoa who had been in Vietnam twelve months, including during the Tet offensive. They were totally exhausted with a tremendous need to get out. No hand-over time; they left the next day which was a shock. New team consisted of seven nurses from Princess Alexandria Hospital in Brisbane, three GPs, two orthopaedic surgeons, 1 general surgeon and one paediatrician. There was a surgical suite of two operating theatres and annex and ward for high dependent care. Most patients civilian casualties of war. The few enemy Vietcong soldiers to come in were quickly patched up and sent to American hospital. A lot of ‘band-aid’ treatment because of lack of resources. Scene 37A, Take 2, roll 56: [retake of take 1] Didn’t seem to be an Australian Government public relations exercise at the time; in Australia no-one knew about the civilian hospital. It gave medical care to people who would not otherwise have had access to medical attention. Nurses also worked at orphanages giving physical examinations and treatment to children. Scene 37A, Take 3: Civilian casualties suffered large amount of grenade, mine and gunshot wounds; abdominal wound, missing limbs, eye and facial injuries common. Families of the sick and wounded very accepting of situation and had deep religious faith. Scene 37A, Take 4: No comparison between civilian and army nursing. Civilian nurses admired those for the work they did with the soldiers. Civilian nurses had no restrictions on movements; lot of freedom to walk around village, go fishing with locals, hitch ride on plane. Army nurses isolated and not exposed to effects of war on civilian population. Coming home a relief; celebrated in Singapore. Back in Australia, didn’t want to talk to press. Following two years suffered with depression. Scene 37A, Take 5: Vietnam Veteran’s response to moratorium understandable but it was really about stopping the war and getting the people