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Navy: Hospital Ships

Asked by James MacClearyLiberal DemocratMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 21 May 2026UIN 1452

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many operational vessels are currently available to the Royal Navy with hospital or casualty receiving facilities.

Answered by Luke Pollard

All Royal Navy major surface combatants have integral medical facilities capable of receiving and treating casualties. The availability and scale of these is dependent on operational tasking. Both Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, all the Type 45 destroyers and the three Bay Class RFAs are capable of delivering consultant-led pre- and deployed hospital patient care. This comprehensive facility is also incorporated into the design of Type 26 City-class Frigates.

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