Defence Medical Service

HC Deb 01 December 1997 vol 302 cc22-3W

20. Mr. Garnier

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the review of the Defence Medical Services. [16815]

Dr. Reid

The stewardship of the previous Administration, whatever its intentions, has left the Defence Medical Services in a parlous state. In addition to the work of the Strategic Defence Review, which will clearly encompass the Defence Medical Services (DMS), I have established a team to implement the recommendations of a recent review of the operational capability of the DMS. I have also ordered a review of the provision of secondary care in the UK by the Defence Secondary Care Agency, and called for proposals to improve morale and retention among DMS personnel. I have directed that the work on these separate but interrelated issues be brought together in order to determine a structured way forward.