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Health Services: Armed Forces

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 19 October 2025UIN 79530

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress has he made in ensuring the national health ecosystem has the (a) capacity and (b) capability to meet the needs of service personnel.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department of Health and Social Care, including activities focused on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.

The MOD is also exploring options for an independent review board to assure national health ecosystem—Defence, the NHS, and the private sector— readiness to meet Defence medical needs.

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