Royal Navy Medical Service
Encyclopedia
The Royal Navy Medical Service is the branch of the Royal Navy
responsible for medical care. It works closely with Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
.
was officially established, the medical officers of the navy were segregated into surgeons and physicians. Every ship would carry a surgeon or assistant surgeon, who would have to treat patients, perform surgical procedures and prepare medications, but the more senior physicians would work either on a capital ship or in charge of a land based hospital.
The current structure of ranking for medical officers was adopted in 1918.
as medical assistants
, who receive similar training to paramedic
s. Nursing services are provided for the navy by the QARNNS which works alongside the Medical Service, but is a separate organisation. In total, 1,522 personnel are employed by the service.
It is currently commanded by Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis
, the Medical Director General Naval; MDG(N). The most senior medical officer in the British Armed Forces, the Surgeon-General
, Surgeon Vice-Admiral Philip Raffaelli
held this position until 2009.
All ranks of the medical branch provide medical care onshore as well at naval shore establishments and with the royal marines.
to the crew. They also have the role of training the crew in first aid. Capital ships often carry non-commissioned medical technicians as part of the larger medical department, who perform laboratory work to aid the medical assistants and officers.
Medical assistants can participate in land based medicine in the medical departments of the shore establishments or with the royal marines.
All medical assistants are ranked in the same manner as other ratings.
s (including aircraft carriers, LPHs) and larger submarines have separate medical departments permanently staffed by one or two medical officers, but they are embarked temporarily on smaller vessels when on a long operational tour. Medical officers are ranked in the same manner as other officers, but wear red stripes between the gold on their epaulets, and have the title 'Surgeon' added to their rank (Surgeon Lieutenant for example). Although royal navy medical officers are qualified doctors, they do not use the Dr prefix, like those in other British military medical organisations.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
responsible for medical care. It works closely with Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service is the nursing branch of the British Royal Navy. The Service unit works alongside the Royal Navy Medical Branch....
.
History
Since the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
was officially established, the medical officers of the navy were segregated into surgeons and physicians. Every ship would carry a surgeon or assistant surgeon, who would have to treat patients, perform surgical procedures and prepare medications, but the more senior physicians would work either on a capital ship or in charge of a land based hospital.
The current structure of ranking for medical officers was adopted in 1918.
Structure
The medical branch today is made up of Medical Officers (physicians) and non-commissioned officers and ratingsNaval rating
A Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
as medical assistants
Medical Assistant (Royal Navy)
The Medical Assistant is a Royal Navy medical rating in the United Kingdom. Medical Assistants serve on all types of ships in the surface and submarine fleet, or ashore in a sick bay, hospital, or other establishment...
, who receive similar training to paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
s. Nursing services are provided for the navy by the QARNNS which works alongside the Medical Service, but is a separate organisation. In total, 1,522 personnel are employed by the service.
It is currently commanded by Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis
Lionel Jarvis
Rear Admiral Lionel John Jarvis, QHS, MB, BS is the Surgeon General of the Royal Navy and the Assistance Chief of Defence Staff . He is the Chief Naval Medical Officer.-Before the Royal Navy:...
, the Medical Director General Naval; MDG(N). The most senior medical officer in the British Armed Forces, the Surgeon-General
Surgeon-General (United Kingdom)
The Surgeon-General is the senior medical officer of the British Armed Forces; the post is held by the senior of the three individual service medical directors....
, Surgeon Vice-Admiral Philip Raffaelli
Philip Raffaelli
Surgeon Vice-Admiral Philip Iain Raffaelli QHP FRCP is a British general practitioner and the current Surgeon General of the British Armed Forces.-Military career:...
held this position until 2009.
All ranks of the medical branch provide medical care onshore as well at naval shore establishments and with the royal marines.
Medical Assistants
Medical Assistants are deployed on all major warships and submarines of the Royal Navy, and provide primary carePrimary care
Primary care is the term for the health services by providers who act as the principal point of consultation for patients within a health care system...
to the crew. They also have the role of training the crew in first aid. Capital ships often carry non-commissioned medical technicians as part of the larger medical department, who perform laboratory work to aid the medical assistants and officers.
Medical assistants can participate in land based medicine in the medical departments of the shore establishments or with the royal marines.
All medical assistants are ranked in the same manner as other ratings.
Medical Officers
Capital shipCapital ship
The capital ships of a navy are its most important warships; they generally possess the heaviest firepower and armor and are traditionally much larger than other naval vessels...
s (including aircraft carriers, LPHs) and larger submarines have separate medical departments permanently staffed by one or two medical officers, but they are embarked temporarily on smaller vessels when on a long operational tour. Medical officers are ranked in the same manner as other officers, but wear red stripes between the gold on their epaulets, and have the title 'Surgeon' added to their rank (Surgeon Lieutenant for example). Although royal navy medical officers are qualified doctors, they do not use the Dr prefix, like those in other British military medical organisations.
See also
- William Job MaillardWilliam Job MaillardStaff Surgeon William Job Maillard VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
VC - Ian Jenkins (Royal Navy officer)
- Medical Assistant (Royal Navy)Medical Assistant (Royal Navy)The Medical Assistant is a Royal Navy medical rating in the United Kingdom. Medical Assistants serve on all types of ships in the surface and submarine fleet, or ashore in a sick bay, hospital, or other establishment...
- PhysicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
- Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...