The Scar Free Foundation heads to Madrid for NATO’s Medical Reserve Conference

31 July 2025

This July, The Scar Free Foundation headed to Madrid for the Conference of Medical Reserve Officers in NATO Summer Congress. The aim was to deliver a morning of discussion and workshops on the research needed in planning for a large-scale military operation.

Richard, Scar Free Chief Executive, and Charlotte, Scar Free Deputy Chief Executive, packed their bags and headed to (a very hot) Spain to present:

• A context for a revised military medical system
• A series of research questions that would be relevant in such an operation

Research topics ranged from the effect of increased time between wounding and medical intervention (and the detrimental effect this has on the patient’s ability to heal), to the effects on morale of soldiers and medics alike.

Richard and Charlotte also addressed the critical questions of triage; who to triage in what circumstances, and the training required to ensure those treating patients at the front line understand how to maximise the healing process.

Inevitably, this also led to a discussion on what training is needed and where to reduce the effects of the wounds.

What became clear was that civil-military coordination and cooperation was essential, and that research into these issues would be very welcome.

Also noted was that research into wound healing, like that which Scar Free enables, would be essential to improve clinical outcomes of wounded service personnel, or patients.

From this fascinating workshop, a number of research ideas have been identified for the Foundation, to make sure that we can improve clinical outcomes whatever the circumstances.

We’d like to thank CIOMR for our invitation – and for such an interesting, rewarding time in Madrid! 🇪🇸

📸 Headline image: Piet van de Wiel, Pixabay