Under International Humanitarian Law civilian hospitals are supposed to be protected from military attack.
Even military hospitals are offered the most feasible of precautions and protection to minimize damage to infrastructure or injuries to patients and personnel.
Damage at a hospital in Kamianske, Dnipro, Ukraine, after a Russian strike on 29 July 2025. Photograph: Mykola Synelnykov/Reuters
I was minded of this today as I say waiting for a routine medical appointment in a bright modern and relatively quiet hospital.
Gloucester Royal Hospital ground floor 5 Sept 2025. Photograph: Liz Walker
After I saw my medic there was a wait for blood tests. I had number thirty and number eighteen was called not long after I parked my behind in the designated waiting area. Not everyone was happy about this wait, and were a little vocal over their phone!
Fortunately we got to hear both sides of the conversation as the lady in question had her caller on speaker.
Whilst chatting to my ‘phlebologist’ I regaled her with the tales of my broken arm, my husband needing a pacemaker, and subsequent DVT removal.
I took some nondescript photos and, on returning home, I sought out pictures of Ukrainian hospitals on line.
There’s not a lot more to say really
Liz In Ukraine 
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