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Surgeon-General (United Kingdom)

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In 1873, following the abolition of the regimental system of appointing and supervising medical officers, the title of surgeon-general was used for the highest rank of medical officers in Army Medical Department (replacing that of inspector-general of hospitals and signifying their broader
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In November 1918, the titles of officers of the medical, accountant and naval instructor branches of the Navy were revised "in order to indicate more clearly their status as Officers of Majesty's Naval Service"; thenceforward surgeons-general were styled surgeon rear-admirals and deputy
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took on a similar role informally, before being appointed 'Surgeon General of all the Forces in England and Wales', in 1664. In 1685, a Physician-General was also appointed; together, they directed the Army's medical services. These two offices lapsed following the establishment of the
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and the Defence Authority for end to end Defence healthcare and medical operational capability". It had always been held by a three-star military medical officer; but in July 2019 a civilian was appointed to the role for the first time,
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In July 1911, the titles of inspector-general of hospitals and fleets and deputy inspector-general of hospitals and fleets were replaced by surgeon-general, Royal Navy, and deputy surgeon-general, Royal Navy, respectively.
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maximising the number of service personnel fit for task through securing appropriate levels of health; optimising the health and healthcare of deployed population at risk throughout the operational patient care
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has been used for different purposes at different times in the United Kingdom. Initially it was the designation of a director of the Army's medical services. Subsequently it was a senior
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directing medical research and medical innovation in Defence, the co-ordination of strategic DMS defence engagement and directing continuous clinical quality improvement in defence.
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from 7 August 1891. In 1918, the title again went into abeyance when medical officers were given military rank: surgeon-general was redesignated as the standard Army rank of
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the senior technical authority for defence medicine, including prevention, detection, treatment, and recovery from the full spectrum of illness and injury.
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in the 1660s, there was a need for greater co-ordination of the provision of medical services (which had previously been arranged on a more
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basis by individual regiments). In Ireland, a Physician-General was appointed in 1660, and a Surgeon-General in 1661. In 1664 the King's
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strategic advice on defence medical doctrine, concepts, capability planning, force development and lessons.
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In 1985, as part of a move toward greater co-ordination between the medical departments of the three
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authority). The rank of deputy surgeon-general was also introduced, although it was redesignated
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in the Army Medical Department (and, briefly, in the Royal Navy). Having lapsed after the
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Defence Medical Services – HQ Surgeon General/ Director General Defence Medical Services
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ensuring all UK Armed Forces personnel receive safe, efficient and effective healthcare.
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being the functional lead for medical and healthcare within the Ministry of Defence
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Peter Homa appointed as New Director General Defence Medical Services
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The Orders in Council for Regulation of the Naval Service. Vol. XII
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The Orders in Council for Regulation of the Naval Service. Vol. X
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The Records of the War Office and Related Departments, 1660–1964
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Subsequently, a serving military medical officer, Air Marshal
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Defence Medical Services#List of Directors General since 2019
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leading the transformation of the Defence Medical Services
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Latterly, the role was described as "professional head of
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As of 2024, the responsibilities of the DGDMS include:
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The responsibilities of the Surgeon General include:
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For Directors General Defence Medical Services, see
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UK Ministry of Defence. 28 October 2020 1474:(Supplement). 9 April 2019. p. 6432. 1088:"Defence Medical Services head appointed" 1059: 202:Director General Defence Medical Services 1523:(Supplement). 25 May 2021. p. 9308. 1513: 1502:AVM Alastair Reid Acting Surgeon General 1464: 1418: 1036: 1034: 987: 967: 941: 1575:Military medicine in the United Kingdom 1562: 1008:"Admiralty Order in Council No. 137". 186:Director General Army Medical Services 1031: 1023:"Admiralty Order in Council No. 48". 952: 34:Ministry of Defence tri-Service Badge 1046:Royal College of Surgeons of England 957:. Kew, Surrey: Public Record Office. 1269:Who was Who, accessed 26 April 2011 255:List of Surgeons-General since 1985 13: 14: 1591: 1548: 1193:"Air Marshal Clare Walton CB KHP" 1168:"Air Marshal Clare Walton CB KHP" 1490:assets.publishing.service.gov.uk 27: 16:Senior uniformed medical officer 1527: 1507: 1478: 1458: 1432: 1412: 1394: 1360: 1344: 1326: 1308: 1290: 1273: 1261: 1235: 1210: 1185: 1160: 1132: 977:. 28 August 1891. p. 4615. 1140:"Air Vice-Marshal Reid CB QHP" 1106: 1016: 1001: 981: 961: 1: 1570:British military appointments 935: 184:, who served concurrently as 154: 180:(the first holder being Sir 7: 1338:www.kilmarnockacademy.co.uk 332:Sir Godfrey Milton-Thompson 10: 1596: 1402:"Defence Medical Services" 1067:"Defence Medical Services" 1334:"kilmarnockacademy.co.uk" 102: 62: 55: 40: 26: 21: 193:Defence Medical Services 168:Defence Medical Services 107:With the formation of a 92:Defence Medical Services 67:Defence Medical Services 57:Defence Medical Services 953:Roper, Michael (1998). 133: 128:Army Medical Department 97: 1316:"Winds of Destruction" 1073:. Ministry of Defence. 200:, whose job title was 1280:Letters to the Editor 1120:. London. 4 July 2019 1094:. Ministry of Defence 119:Physician-in-Ordinary 728:Surgeon Vice Admiral 653:Surgeon Vice Admiral 557:Surgeon Vice Admiral 441:Surgeon Vice Admiral 178:British Armed Forces 88:British Armed Forces 1322:on January 5, 2009. 1147:Friends of Millbank 780:Richard Broadbridge 50:since May 2024 1520:The London Gazette 1471:The London Gazette 1425:The London Gazette 1302:2011-10-09 at the 1297:Gulf War Illnesses 994:The London Gazette 974:The London Gazette 819:Lieutenant General 605:Lieutenant General 523:Lieutenant General 406:Lieutenant General 288:Sir Cameron Moffat 283:Lieutenant General 149:lieutenant-general 1249:. 28 October 2012 933: 932: 72: 71: 1587: 1543: 1542: 1531: 1525: 1524: 1511: 1505: 1504: 1499: 1497: 1482: 1476: 1475: 1462: 1456: 1455: 1453: 1451: 1436: 1430: 1429: 1416: 1410: 1409: 1398: 1392: 1391: 1389: 1388: 1378: 1372: 1367:Louis Lillywhite 1364: 1358: 1348: 1342: 1341: 1330: 1324: 1323: 1318:. 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Index


Ministry of Defence tri-Service Badge
Philip McNee
Defence Medical Services
Defence Medical Services
rank
First World War
British Armed Forces
Defence Medical Services
standing army
ad hoc
Physician-in-Ordinary
Serjeant Surgeon
Army Medical Department
surgeon-colonel
major-general
lieutenant-general
Armed Services
British Armed Forces
Cameron Moffat
Director General Army Medical Services
Defence Medical Services
Peter Homa
Alastair Reid
Clare Walton
Defence Medical Services#List of Directors General since 2019
Lieutenant General
Sir Cameron Moffat
KBE
CStJ

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