ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how Defence Medical Services (DMS) primary care's efforts have been focused upon supporting the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Iraq and Afghanistan. DMS primary care has also continued to provide healthcare to entitled Service personnel in the Firm Base and within overseas Permanent Joint Operating Bases such as Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar and Naples. The National Health Service (NHS) and DMS primary care is delivered through multidisciplinary teams that include general practitioners (GPs), dentists, nurses and allied health professionals such as pharmacists and physiotherapists. DMS primary care's contribution to Operations Telic and Herrick was significant and sustained. Despite robust aeromedical evacuation pathways, throughout Operations Telic and Herrick, the DMS aimed to provide the best possible healthcare to wounded service personnel as soon as possible and as close to the point of wounding as possible through the delivery of Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS).
