Armed Forces: Health Services
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on making defence the employer of choice for (a) regular and (b) reserves medical staff.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones
The Strategic Defence Review recognises Defence must become an employer of choice for medical staff (Regular and Reserves) by offering flexible employment, education, and training—facilitated by aligning with the NHS on pay, benefits, and terms and conditions.
The implementation of the Review's vision and recommendations is underway, including to ensure that pay and benefits for medical personnel are competitive with civilian healthcare roles and reviewing terms and conditions to provide greater flexibility and fairness, ensuring they reflect the unique demands of military service. The MOD is committed to the professional development of medical staff, offering access to advanced training, leadership courses, and opportunities to work in diverse and challenging environments; this is particularly relevant to reserve roles.
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