Defence Medical Services: A review of the clinical governance of the Defence Medical Services in the UK and overseas

Abstract: This report is the product of a fruitful collaboration between the Department of Health and the Ministry of Defence, and between the Healthcare Commission and the Defence Medical Services. It owes much to the leadership and commitment of the Surgeon General, Lieutenant General Louis Lillywhite and his predecessor, the late Surgeon Vice-Admiral Ian Jenkins. They took the view that it would be beneficial to the Defence Medical Services if its services were exposed to the scrutiny that the Healthcare Commission applies to the performance of the NHS. The Healthcare Commission, in line with its primary statutory duty to encourage improvement in the provision of health and healthcare, was pleased to accept the invitation. The Defence Medical Services provides care for about 250,000 people – Service personnel and their families. All concerned felt it right that their healthcare should be subject to the same scrutiny as that of others in England. The picture that the report paints of the Defence Medical Services is varied. There are areas of outstanding performance that the NHS could profitably learn from, not least the organisation and operation of trauma services. There are other areas where improvements need to be made, for example, getting universal standards in place across all services, and addressing maintenance and cleanliness at some medical units providing services away from the front line. These needs for improvement are recognised and it is pleasing that actions are already being taken to address them. It is important that progress is monitored and reported on regularly.