Surgeon General of the United Kingdom Armed Forces | |
---|---|
![]() | |
since May 2024 | |
Defence Medical Services | |
Website | Defence Medical Services |
The title Surgeon-General has been used for different purposes at different times in the United Kingdom. Initially it was the designation of a director of the Army's medical services. Subsequently it was a senior rank in the Army Medical Department (and, briefly, in the Royal Navy). Having lapsed after the First World War, the title was again revived in the late 20th century for the most senior uniformed medical officer in the British Armed Forces. Currently, it pertains to a senior uniformed medical officer, working under the Director General Defence Medical Services.
With the formation of a standing army in the 1660s, there was a need for greater co-ordination of the provision of medical services (which had previously been arranged on a more ad hoc basis by individual regiments). [1] In Ireland, a Physician-General was appointed in 1660, and a Surgeon-General in 1661. In 1664 the King's Physician-in-Ordinary and Serjeant Surgeon took on a similar role informally, before being appointed 'Surgeon General of all the Forces in England and Wales', in 1664. In 1685, a Physician-General was also appointed; together, they directed the Army's medical services. These two offices lapsed following the establishment of the Army Medical Department in 1810. [1]
In 1873, following the abolition of the regimental system of appointing and supervising medical officers, the title of surgeon-general was used for the highest rank of medical officers in Army Medical Department (replacing that of inspector-general of hospitals and signifying their broader authority). [1] The rank of deputy surgeon-general was also introduced, although it was redesignated surgeon-colonel from 7 August 1891. [2] In 1918, the title again went into abeyance when medical officers were given military rank: surgeon-general was redesignated as the standard Army rank of major-general, except for the most senior surgeon-general, who was redesignated a lieutenant-general. [3]
In July 1911, the titles of inspector-general of hospitals and fleets and deputy inspector-general of hospitals and fleets were replaced by surgeon-general, Royal Navy, and deputy surgeon-general, Royal Navy, respectively. [4]
In November 1918, the titles of officers of the medical, accountant and naval instructor branches of the Navy were revised "in order to indicate more clearly their status as Officers of [His] Majesty's Naval Service"; thenceforward surgeons-general were styled surgeon rear-admirals and deputy surgeons-general were styled surgeon captains. [5]
In 1985, as part of a move toward greater co-ordination between the medical departments of the three Armed Services, the post of Surgeon General was created anew for the most senior uniformed medical officer in the British Armed Forces (the first holder being Sir Cameron Moffat, who served concurrently as Director General Army Medical Services). [6]
Latterly, the role was described as "professional head of Defence Medical Services and the Defence Authority for end to end Defence healthcare and medical operational capability". [7] It had always been held by a three-star military medical officer; [8] but in July 2019 a civilian was appointed to the role for the first time, Peter Homa, whose job title was Director General Defence Medical Services (DGDMS). [9] Under Peter Homa as DGDMS, Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Reid (who had been appointed to the two-star position of Defence Medical Director in 2018) was designated Surgeon-General. [10]
Subsequently, a serving military medical officer, Air Marshal Clare Walton, has been appointed to the three-star post of Director General Defence Medical Services; but the title Surgeon General has remained attached to the two-star position. [11]
As of 2024, the responsibilities of the DGDMS include: [12]
The responsibilities of the Surgeon General include: [13]
For Directors General Defence Medical Services, see Defence Medical Services#List of Directors General since 2019
Rank | Name | Post-nominals | Years in office |
---|---|---|---|
Lieutenant General | Sir Cameron Moffat | KBE , CStJ , QHS , FRCS | 1985–1988 [6] |
Surgeon Vice Admiral | Sir Godfrey Milton-Thompson | KBE , QHP , FRCP | 1988–1990 [14] |
Air Marshal | Sir Nigel Mills | KBE , QHP , FRCGP , FRCP | 1990–1991 [15] |
Lieutenant General | Sir Peter Beale | KBE , QHP , FRCP | 1991–1994 [16] |
Surgeon Vice Admiral | Anthony Revell | CB , QHS , FRCA | 1994–1997 [17] |
Air Marshal | Sir John Baird | KBE , DL , QHS , FRAeS , FRCPE | 1997–2000 [18] |
Lieutenant General | Robert Menzies | CB , OBE , QHS | 2000–2002 [19] |
Surgeon Vice Admiral | Ian Jenkins | CB , CVO , CStJ , QHS , FRCS | 2002–2006 [20] |
Lieutenant General | Louis Lillywhite | CB , MBE , CStJ , QHP , FRCP | 2006–2009 [21] |
Surgeon Vice Admiral | Philip Raffaelli | CB , CStJ , QHP , FRCP | 2009–2012 [22] |
Air Marshal | Paul Evans | CB , OStJ , QHP | 2012–2015 [23] |
Surgeon Vice Admiral | Alasdair Walker | CB , OBE , OStJ , QHS , FRCS | 2015–2018 [24] |
Air Vice-Marshal | Richard Broadbridge | CB , QHS , FRAeS , FRCGP | 2017 (acting) [25] |
Lieutenant General | Martin Bricknell | CB , QHP | 2018–2019 [26] |
Air Vice-Marshal | Alastair Reid | CB , QHP | 2019–2021 [27] [8] |
Major General | Timothy Hodgetts | CB , CBE , QHS , DL | 2021–2024 [28] |
Major General | Philip McNee | KHP | 2024– [29] |
Marshal of the Royal Air Force (MRAF) is the highest rank in the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF). In peacetime it was granted to RAF officers in the appointment of Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), and to retired Chiefs of the Air Staff (CAS), who were promoted to it on their last day of service. While surviving Marshals of the RAF retain the rank for life, the highest rank to which officers on active service are promoted is now air chief marshal. Although general promotions to Marshal of the Royal Air Force have been discontinued since the British defence cuts of the 1990s, further promotions to the rank may still be made in wartime, for members of the Royal Family and certain very senior RAF air officers in peacetime at the discretion of the monarch; all such promotions in peacetime are only honorary, however. In 2012, the then Prince of Wales was promoted to the rank in recognition of his support for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as head of the armed forces (commander-in-chief), while in 2014 Lord Stirrup, who had served as Chief of the Air Staff and Chief of the Defence Staff for over seven years, was also promoted.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is the professional head of the British Armed Forces and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The chief of the defence staff is based at the Ministry of Defence and works alongside the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Defence, the ministry's senior civil servant. The Chief of Defence is the highest ranking officer to currently serve in the armed forces.
Surgeon general is a title used in several Commonwealth countries and most NATO nations to refer either to a senior military medical officer or to a senior uniformed physician commissioned by the government and entrusted with public health responsibilities. The title originated in the 17th century, as military units acquired their own physicians.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) is the professional head of the Royal Air Force and a member of both the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Air Force Board. The post was created in 1918 with Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard as the first incumbent. The current and 30th Chief of the Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, who succeeded Sir Michael Wigston on 2 June 2023.
The United Kingdom's Strategic Command (StratCom), previously known as Joint Forces Command (JFC), manages allocated joint capabilities from the three armed services.
The surgeon general of the Navy (SGN) is the most senior commissioned officer of the Medical Corps of the United States Navy and is the principal advisor to the United States Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations and director of the Defense Health Agency on all health and medical matters pertaining to the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. As head of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the surgeon general also manages Navy and Marine healthcare policy, administering the services' healthcare and biomedical research facilities as well as the various staff corps of BUMED, including the Medical Corps and an enlisted corps. The surgeon general is also a member of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Air Marshal Sir Richard Frank Garwood, is a retired senior Royal Air Force officer.
Air Marshal Dame Susan Catherine Gray, is a former senior Royal Air Force officer. She served as Director of Combat Air at Defence Equipment and Support in the Ministry of Defence (2014–16), as Air Officer Commanding No. 38 Group (2016–18), and as Director-General of the Defence Safety Authority (2019–22). She is the most senior female officer ever to serve in the Royal Air Force.
The Royal Navy Medical Service (RNMS), also termed the Royal Naval Medical Service is the branch of the Royal Navy responsible for providing 'comprehensive healthcare to ships, submarines and Royal Marine personnel at sea and on land'. It includes within its remit of responsibility Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.
The Defence Medical Services (DMS) is an umbrella organisation within the Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom. It describes the Royal Navy Medical Service, Army Medical Services and RAF Medical Services. The Defence Medical Services Group and Headquarters DMS is part of Strategic Command, although with the exception of civilian staff, the personnel contained in it are each part of their respective three Services.
Field marshal (FM) has been the highest rank in the British Army since 1736. A five-star rank with NATO code OF-10, it is equivalent to an Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy or a Marshal of the Royal Air Force in the Royal Air Force (RAF). A Field Marshal's insignia consists of two crossed batons surrounded by yellow leaves below the Tudor Crown. Like Marshals of the Royal Air Force and Admirals of the Fleet, Field Marshals traditionally remain officers for life, though on half-pay when not in an appointment or retired. The rank has been used sporadically throughout its history, and was vacant during parts of the 18th and 19th centuries. After the Second World War, it became standard practice to appoint the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to the rank on his last day in the post. Army officers occupying the post of Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of all the British Armed Forces, were usually promoted to the rank upon their appointment.
Air Marshal Christopher Paul Anthony Evans, is a former senior Royal Air Force officer and medical doctor. He served as Surgeon General of the British Armed Forces from 2012 to 2015.
Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Torquil Ian Munro, is a general counsel and company secretary; he was a senior officer in the Army Reserve before transferring to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
The Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (ACDS) is a senior British military officer. There are a number of ACDS appointments and they are held by officers of two-star rank. They work in the Ministry of Defence.
Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, is a senior Northern Irish Royal Air Force officer, who has been the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff since March 2024. Previously, he served as Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group (2018–2020) and Air and Space Commander (2022–2024). Between February 2020 and August 2022, he took up the new post of Director Space, in the Ministry of Defence.
Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Norman Crawford Reid, is a senior Royal Air Force officer and medical doctor.
Air Marshal Clare Samantha Walton, is a senior Royal Air Force officer and physician. Since July 2023 she has been Director General of Defence Medical Services.
Surgeon Rear Admiral Fleur T. Marshall is a general practitioner and senior Royal Navy officer. Since 2021, she has served as Head of the Royal Navy Medical Service and Medical Director General (Naval).
Air Vice-Marshal Richard John Martin Broadbridge, 5th Baron Broadbridge, is a British physician, senior Royal Air Force officer, and hereditary peer. Having joined the RAF in 1981, he rose to serve as Director of Healthcare Delivery and Training, Defence Medical Services from 2014 to 2018 and acting Surgeon General in 2017. He transferred to the Royal Air Force Reserve on 5 February 2018, and succeeded his father as Baron Broadbridge in 2020. Broadbridge's commission in the RAF was terminated on 30 October 2024.
Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, AVSM, VSM is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. She is currently serving as the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, the senior-most appointment in the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). She is the first woman to serve as DGAFMS and the highest-ranking woman officer in the history of the Indian Armed Forces.
AVM Alastair Reid Acting Surgeon General