The UK has formally handed over the final modernised medical rehabilitation wards to the Armed Forces of Ukraine under Project Renovator, concluding two years of joint work between Defence Equipment and Support and the Defence Medical Services.
Project Renovator is a NATO-funded initiative designed to expand Ukraine’s military medical rehabilitation capacity. The UK was the first country to join the programme, taking responsibility for refurbishing and equipping one site, while providing interim support to other locations pending contributions from additional NATO partners.
Norway, Sweden, Lithuania and Latvia have since joined the project, with the aim of delivering an integrated rehabilitation capability across multiple facilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, work delivered by the UK has included installation of new heating and hot water systems at two sites, refurbishment of five wards incorporating accommodation and treatment spaces, and provision of physical training and clinical equipment. The project has also deployed four UK training teams to provide mentoring and specialist clinical support.
In total, the upgrades have increased bed capacity by 250 and involved the delivery of more than 21,000 items of equipment. The final stage before full operating capability will be the installation of a CT scanner intended to improve diagnostics for complex trauma injuries.
Colonel Simon Doyle, Project Director for Renovator, said the facilities had been restored from a position where they were no longer operational following Russia’s full-scale invasion, and were now supporting injured personnel in recovery and rehabilitation.
Ukrainian officials said the infrastructure, equipment and training provided through the UK’s involvement had strengthened the country’s rehabilitation services and improved care for injured service personnel.
The handover marks the completion of the UK’s primary infrastructure commitments under the project, with continued collaboration alongside NATO partners on the remaining elements.
