Defence Medical Services (DMS)

What is Defence Medical Services (DMS)?

When a person is serving in the military, their primary healthcare is provided by DMS medical centres, which are specifically set up to meet the medical needs of service personnel. Civilian GP practices are not commissioned to provide this care. The dependants of service personnel or immediate family members also have the option to register with a DMS medical centre.

What happens if I register a patient who is in the military?

• If the patient was previously registered with a DMS medical centre and you register them, PCSE will determine the validity of the registration.
• Checks are carried out with the DMS medical centre to confirm whether the patient is still serving in the military.
• If the patient has not been discharged, the civilian GP registration will be removed from the patient’s record.
• The DMS registration is reinstated, and the civilian practice is contacted to remove the patient from their system.
• If the patient needs treatment with your practice outside of the military (E.g. they are on leave), they must be registered as a temporary patient.

Why has our patient been deducted to DMS? 

• If you have registered a patient who is currently serving in the military, they will be removed back to the DMS medical centre.
• When the DMS registration is reinstated an email will be sent to the main contact at your practice stating the reason as to why they have been deducted and to remove the patient under high security/using security-controlled procedures.