The UK Government has announced a major structural change within the British Army, with the amalgamation of three key healthcare corps into the newly established Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS).

The change, part of the ongoing Future Soldier modernisation programme, was revealed in a written statement by Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, on October 15, 2024.

“The Government are committed to ensuring a combat credible Army that is structured to meet its purpose—protecting the nation and helping it prosper by fighting, winning battles from land,” Pollard stated, while announcing the decision to merge the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC), and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) into one unified body.

This consolidation will “ensure the next generation of the Army will continue to be supported by a modern corps capable of delivering expeditionary healthcare,” according to Pollard.

He also highlighted that the amalgamation will not affect the workforce numbers within the healthcare services, nor will it impact the core ethos of the founding corps. Rather, it is claimed that it will enable healthcare professionals to work across all areas of the Royal Army Medical Service, optimising their talents and enhancing the Army’s operational power.

The reform also aims to streamline administrative processes, improve the culture within the corps, and provide greater flexibility for its members. Pollard described the new Royal Army Medical Service as a “unified, inclusive, and representative corps” that eliminates “corps-specific limitations” and promotes institutional efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) will remain independent due to its distinct legal and operational combatant status, differing from the protected status of the medical corps.

Pollard concluded his statement with a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of those in the new corps, adding, “The amalgamation will deliver improvements for those serving, reduce administrative inefficiencies, promote the world-class work of those who serve in the Royal Army Medical Service.”