New Defence Medical Research Strategy published

New agreement will expand military medical education, training and professional development opportunities.

The Defence Medical Command (DMedC) is calling on partners in Defence, academia, business and research across the UK to work with it to drive forward innovation in military healthcare and medicine in its new research strategy .

Providing a clear, unified direction for Defence medical research for years to come, the strategy focuses effort where it matters most - supporting personnel, improving patient care, and strengthening operational readiness.

Working collaboratively with partners such as the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, UK Defence Innovation, academic institutions and industry who provide specialist expertise and infrastructure, is central to the strategy’s approach.

Philip Woodgate, Director of Research in Defence Medical, said:

The global geopolitical context has changed significantly since the previous strategy was published in 2021.Last year’s Strategic Defence Review highlighted the need for the UK’s Armed Forces to be prepared for large scale combat operations.

This strategy is designed to meet that challenge head on, ensuring research and development is focused, relevant and aligned to operational needs to continually improve medical capability whether in peace or wartime. And we are calling on our industrial, academic and research partners across Defence and the civilian sector to work with us.

This strategy marks a significant shift in Defence Medical’s approach: