Hospital ship
Redemption, which is a modified Nebulon-B frigate
A medical frigate, sometimes referred to as a hospital ship, was a spacecraft designed for medical purposes. These vessels frequently accompanied medium to large-sized military fleets to provide medical assistance during combat, but they could also operate independently. Equipped with advanced medical technology like bacta tanks and medical droids, hospital ships served as mobile hospitals.
History
Various types of vessels served this purpose. Among them were modified EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigates, such as the Redemption, as well as MedStar-class frigates and Sprint-class rescue craft, including the Bright Flight.
During the Clone Wars, MedStar-class frigates functioned as both hospital ships and medical transport ships. They were staffed by highly skilled medics and, in certain instances, Jedi healers. Pelta-class frigates also saw usage during the Clone Wars alongside the MedStar-class frigate.
During the Galactic Civil War, some EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigates, along with at least one Nebulon-B2 frigate, were repurposed into hospital ships. This involved removing the internal hangar bay to create space for a hospital. After losing his hand to Darth Vader's lightsaber, Luke Skywalker received medical treatment aboard one such converted Nebulon-B frigate.
The Mercy, a former two-kilometer-long Imperial vessel captured by the Rebels during the Galactic Civil War, was another military ship converted into a hospital ship. This ship treated the wounded from the attack on [Shackel]. Kyle Katarn received treatment in bacta tank 23 of Ward 114 after being injured during his second mission to Nar Shaddaa.
The Sudden Restoration was another well-known hospital ship. Staffed by Carosite physicians, it provided complimentary healthcare to all and frequently operated in systems devastated by recent conflicts. The New Republic Relief Corps also made extensive use of hospital ships.