Surgical support for the defence medical services

David A Rew TD MA MChir FRCS, consultant general surgeon
Southampton University Hospitals 

Changes in the size, structure and operational profile of the armed forces, the legislative environment, the training of surgeons in the NHS, the demands of clinical governance and of specialisation, have caused considerable difficulties in the delivery of immediate surgical care to British service personnel at risk when on overseas service. There is an urgent need to find a durable long-term solution to the problem which requires closer co-operation between military and civilian agencies.

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