MoD reviewing UK health capacity for wartime needs

The Ministry of Defence is working with the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS to review the UK’s health system capacity to respond to the demands of large-scale conflict, according to a written parliamentary response.

Responding to a question from Conservative MP James Cartlidge about Recommendation 57 of the Strategic Defence Review, Defence Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said work examining the UK’s ability to respond collectively as health services to wartime pressures is already underway.

She said the effort involves multiple government departments and health bodies. “There is ongoing work between Ministry of Defence (MOD), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS to review system-wide capacity and shape and plan the UK’s approach to respond collectively as health services to meet the demands of warfighting.”

As part of that process, officials and health service representatives have been holding workshops to examine the potential impact of modern conflict on the healthcare system. According to the minister, the most recent session was hosted by NHS England in February 2026 and focused on the role of the NHS during major conflict scenarios.

Sandher-Jones said the workshop considered the clinical challenges modern warfare could place on health services and how organisations across the UK could respond collectively to large-scale crises. She added that the Strategic Defence Review recommendations and the creation of integrated crisis plans will continue to be developed through ongoing engagement between the MOD, DHSC and the NHS.

The Government is also working with international partners on related issues through NATO. The minister said: “Further, the work with allies through the NATO Medical Action Plan is addressing priority challenges in workforce; mass casualty planning; patient evacuation; and medical logistics.”

She added that efforts are also examining potential legislative and regulatory barriers that could affect the delivery of medical care during major crises.