Defence written question – answered at on 22 May 2006.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the availability of medical staff in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Marines, (c) Army and (d) Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.
holding answer
The Defence Medical Services (DMS) are responsible for the delivery of deployable medical operational capability in support of UK military operations and for providing health care to UK Service personnel to ensure they are "fit for task" and ready to deploy when needed.
Operational medical support required by UK troops deployed on operations is designed to be the most appropriate and robust to enable the commander to complete his mission. This is determined by a rigorous medical estimate of the military tasks to be undertaken. DMS manning requirements are regularly assessed with the aim of ensuring that we have sufficient medical staff to meet these key military requirements.
Manning levels in the DMS vary across different specialities and Services. In some areas we are very well manned, whilst in others we are experiencing shortfalls. However, there is no question of British forces being deployed on military operations without appropriate medical support. Manning shortfalls are being continually addressed through a package of remunerative and non-remunerative measures.
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