Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of numbers of medical appointments on the medical readiness of serving personnel; and what steps he is taking to ensure timely access to primary healthcare for (a) service personnel and (b) their families.

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) provide primary healthcare for Armed Forces personnel and entitled families. Patients registered with DMS have good access to primary care. Urgent primary care appointments are available within one working day in 99% of medical centres and routine appointments within 14 days in all medical centres (92% within five days).

DMS has introduced improved triage meaning patients are directed to the right care first time, regardless of where they are located. Combining and networking medical centres has also created more efficient and effective primary care.

Secondary care for Armed Forces personnel and families is provided by the NHS in England and the Devolved Administrations. The Ministry of Defence/UK Departments of Health Partnership Board facilitates joint working across the UK to address issues relating to the health and healthcare of Armed Forces personnel and their families.