Personnel and Training Command (PTC)

Director General Medical Services (DGMS)

The Royal Air Force Medical Services

MISSION STATEMENT

"to manage the delivery of effective and timely
healthcare and operational medical capability
to the Royal Air Force in peace and war"

Director General Medical Services (RAF)

The Royal Air Force Medical Services (RAFMS) comprise approximately 2020 personnel, providing a spectrum of medical, nursing, medical technical and medical support capabilities. The majority of personnel are employed in the support and provision of primary and secondary health care services. In addition some personnel are employed in both the peacetime and operational movement of casualties from primary health care to secondary health care units. However, personnel can also be employed within the tri-service (Army, Navy and Royal Air Force) agencies, these include the Defence Secondary Care Agency, the Medical Supplies Agency and the Defence Medical Training Organisation.

RAF Specialist medical units include the Tactical Medical Wing at RAF Lyneham, the focus for delivery of the operational medical output, the Centre for Aviation Medicine and the RAF Institute of Health at RAF Henlow. Functional and professional control of the RAFMS lies with the Director General Medical Services (RAF) (DGMS (RAF)) at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command.

The Organisation of Medical Services within Headquarters Personnel and Training Command (HQ PTC)

Director General Medical Services (RAF)

DGMS (RAF) is the professional head and the competent medical authority for all health services in the RAF. He is responsible to all Air officers Commanding in Chief for all medical matters affecting the health of the Commands (both Strike and Personnel & Training) and their personnel. DGMS (RAF) is also responsible for managing personnel of the Medical, Medical Support and Medical Technical Branches. DGMS (RAF) exercises these responsibilities through the Director Medical Policy (RAF), Director of Health Services (RAF) and Director of Nursing Services (RAF) and Director of Corporate Services (Med) (RAF).

Directorate of Medical Policy (RAF)

The Director of Medical Policy (DMedPol (RAF)), an Air Commodore, is responsible in peacetime and crisis for the development and review of RAF medical personnel, medical peacetime and operational policies, plans and standards including tri-service aviation medicine policy. DMedPol (RAF) is also responsible for the sponsorship of the medical Royal Auxiliary Air Force units.

Directorate of Health Services (RAF)

The Director of Health Services (DHS (RAF)), and Air Commodore, is responsible to DGMS (RAF) for the implementation and audit of: manpower, equipment capability, training and quality of health care provided by RAF Medical Services, to policy set by DGMS(RAF) and national standards. DHS (RAF) is also responsible for the proper administration of all RAF medical establishments and the provision of specialist medical advice and support to Command staffs under lead Command arrangements.

Directorate of Nursing Services (RAF)

The Director of Nursing Services (DNS (RAF)), a Group Captain, is responsible to the DGMS (RAF) for the provision of high quality nursing services to the Royal Air Force in peace and war. In addition, the DNS (RAF) is responsible for the efficient management of the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Services (PMRAFNS), to ensure that a nursing capability is maintained for peace and crisis in accordance with the standards set by the Surgeon General and DGMS (RAF).

Deputy Directorate of Corporate Services (Medical) (RAF)

The Deputy Director of Corporate Services (Medical) (DDCS (Med) (RAF)), a Group Captain, is responsible to and for DGMS (RAF) for the provision of training management and corporate services. DDCS (Med) (RAF) is also responsible for co-ordinating the responses to Parliamentary questions and Ministerial enquiries, strategic planning of business continuity, maintaining an accurate record of the current medical establishment and representing the DGMS(RAF) on all matters relating to information strategies.

Medical Links

RAF Careers Page

Medical links other than RAF

Nursing

National Health Service

Department of Health

Royal College of General Practitioners

British Medical Journal

Royal College of Physicians

Faculty of occupational health

Faculty of Public Health Medicine

BMA