[1] The Defence Medical Services are led by the Director General, currently Air Marshal Clare Walton.
There have been medical personnel supporting the Armed Forces since the creation of the Armed Forces: ships of the Royal Navy have carried surgeons for centuries; regiments of the British Army have employed surgeons to look after the health of soldiers and to take care of the wounded since their creation.
Specialist Medical Regiments provide dental, physiotherapy and mental health support.
From March 2020, the DMS began supporting the UK's COVID-19 relief efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
As part of Operation Rescript, the DMS collectively contributed over half of its 6,500 personnel to support NHS hospitals and Trusts – the largest contribution to the operation from any other part of the MOD.