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Army Medical Corps (India)

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The Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the Indian Army , which primarily provides medical services to all Army personnel, serving and veterans, along with their families. Along with the branches in the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force , it forms part of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). The AFMS consists of more than 70,000 personnel.

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91-548: Very little is known of the medical organisations that existed in the Indian armies in ancient times. However, Kautilya's Arthashastra shows that during battles, physicians with surgical instruments (Shastra, medicines and drugs in their hands besides women with prepared food and beverages) stood behind the fighting men. Similarly, from the Sushrüt Samhitā, it is seen that a physician fully equipped with medicines would live in

182-739: A Medical Staff Corps was established (in place of the Hospital Conveyance Corps, which had by then been merged into the Land Transport Corps ). It was formed of nine companies, overseen by a single officer, and had its headquarters at Fort Pitt. The Medical Staff Corps was set up to provide orderlies and stretcher bearers (later it was renamed the Army Hospital Corps, but reverted to its original title in 1884). The officers known as purveyors, who were responsible for medical provisioning, were formed into

273-710: A Surgeon-general , a Physician-general and an Apothecary-general . In 1793 an Army Medical Board was formed (consisting of the Surgeon-general, Physician-general and Inspector of Regimental Infirmaries), which promoted a more centralised approach drawing on concurrent civilian healthcare practices. The Board set up five General (as opposed to regimental) Military Hospitals: four in the naval ports of Chatham , Deal , Plymouth and Gosport ( Portsmouth ), and one (known as York Hospital) in Chelsea . These hospitals received large numbers of sick and injured soldiers from

364-693: A Royal Warrant of 1861; nine years later it was merged into the Control Department, and later became part of the Army Service Corps . In 1857, in response to the Crimean debacle, a Royal Commission had been appointed for the improvement of sanitary conditions in Army barracks and hospitals; it recommended (among other things) the establishment of an Army Medical School, which was set up in 1860 at Fort Pitt Hospital before moving in 1863 to

455-783: A bugler. It was founded officially in 1898, with official permission for the band being given by the Duke of Connaught , first Colonel-in Chief of the RAMC. In 1902, the band had reached a stature to where it could take part in the Coronation Procession of King Edward VII . On 1 January 1939, the RAMC Band was taken over by the Army Council and was officially recognised as a state sponsored band. In 1962, Derek Waterhouse became

546-440: A bugler. It was founded officially in 1898, with official permission for the band being given by the Duke of Connaught , first Colonel-in Chief of the RAMC. In 1902, the band had reached a stature to where it could take part in the Coronation Procession of King Edward VII . On 1 January 1939, the RAMC Band was taken over by the Army Council and was officially recognised as a state sponsored band. In 1962, Derek Waterhouse became

637-452: A camp not far from the royal pavilion and would treat those wounded by arrows or swords. Physicians in the King's service adopted certain measures to protect the ruler from secret poisoning. Physicians well versed in the technical sciences and other allied branches of study was held in high esteem by all. The Army Medical Corps came into existence as a homogeneous corps of officers and men on

728-533: A far more formal footing: together with George Guthrie , he instituted the use of dedicated ambulance wagons to transport the wounded, and set up a series of temporary hospitals (formed of prefabricated huts brought over from Britain) to aid the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the front line. After the end of the Peninsular War Fort Pitt in Chatham became the de facto headquarters of

819-796: A four-year degree course in Nursing. In addition, all Command Hospitals impart post graduate MD/MS training to the AFMS officers. The Medical Journal Armed Forces India is the official journal of the AMC. It was founded as the Journal of Indian Army Medical Corps in 1945. The Army Medical Corps has seen combat and active operations in all operations and wars the Indian Army was involved, as part of combat formations or as hospitals apart from providing life-saving services in tertiary/referral hospitals around

910-658: A more centralised approach drawing on concurrent civilian healthcare practices. The Board set up five General (as opposed to regimental) Military Hospitals: four in the naval ports of Chatham , Deal , Plymouth and Gosport ( Portsmouth ), and one (known as York Hospital) in Chelsea . These hospitals received large numbers of sick and injured soldiers from the French Revolutionary Wars (so much so that by 1799 additional General Military Hospitals were set up in Yarmouth , Harwich and Colchester Barracks );

1001-418: A separate Purveyors' Department by a Royal Warrant of 1861; nine years later it was merged into the Control Department, and later became part of the Army Service Corps . In 1857, in response to the Crimean debacle, a Royal Commission had been appointed for the improvement of sanitary conditions in Army barracks and hospitals; it recommended (among other things) the establishment of an Army Medical School, which

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1092-591: A series of temporary hospitals (formed of prefabricated huts brought over from Britain) to aid the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the front line. After the end of the Peninsular War Fort Pitt in Chatham became the de facto headquarters of the Army Medical Department (the Invalid Depôt having relocated to Chatham from the Isle of Wight). A General Military Hospital was established on

1183-548: A stretch), and less recognition in honours and awards. They did not have their own identity as did the Army Service Corps, whose officers did have military rank. A number of complaints were published, and the British Medical Journal campaigned loudly. For over two years from 27 July 1887 there were no recruits to the Army Medical Department. A parliamentary committee reported in 1890, highlighting

1274-405: A stretch), and less recognition in honours and awards. They did not have their own identity as did the Army Service Corps, whose officers did have military rank. A number of complaints were published, and the British Medical Journal campaigned loudly. For over two years from 27 July 1887 there were no recruits to the Army Medical Department. A parliamentary committee reported in 1890, highlighting

1365-608: A tri-service body, with the hospital facilities of Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy combined. The main hospital facility is now the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham , a joint military- National Health Service centre. The majority of injured service personnel were treated in Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham prior to the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital's opening. There

1456-421: A tri-service body, with the hospital facilities of Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy combined. The main hospital facility is now the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham , a joint military- National Health Service centre. The majority of injured service personnel were treated in Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham prior to the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital's opening. There

1547-732: Is located in Lucknow , where are new recruits and officers are trained. It also house the AMC records. Medical officers are inducted either from the Armed Forces Medical College , Pune after training or from other medical colleges, based on available vacancies. The Armed Forces Medical College, Pune (AFMC), which was established in 1948 is the premier training institution of the AFMS. It provides undergraduate, postgraduate & super-specialty training to AFMS, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) & Friendly Foreign Countries Medical Officers. The College of Nursing at AFMC conducts

1638-580: The French Revolutionary Wars (so much so that by 1799 additional General Military Hospitals were set up in Yarmouth , Harwich and Colchester Barracks ); the Board, however, was criticised, for both high expenditure and poor management. By the end of the century the Board had been disestablished, and most of the General Hospitals were closed or repurposed not long afterwards. By 1807 the only General Hospitals in operation were York Hospital (which

1729-760: The Royal Army Dental Corps and Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps to form one unified corps, the Royal Army Medical Service , on 15 November 2024. The corps established a network of home-country military hospitals for military casualties during the First World War . The hospitals were managed by Territorial Force personnel and were headquartered as follows: London Command Eastern Command Northern Command Western Command Southern Command Scottish Command The military medical services are now

1820-542: The Royal Army Dental Corps and Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps to form one unified corps, the Royal Army Medical Service , on 15 November 2024. The corps established a network of home-country military hospitals for military casualties during the First World War . The hospitals were managed by Territorial Force personnel and were headquartered as follows: London Command Eastern Command Northern Command Western Command Southern Command Scottish Command The military medical services are now

1911-706: The Royal Army Medical Service . Medical services in the British armed services date from the formation of the Standing Regular Army after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. Prior to this, from as early as the 13th century there are records of surgeons and physicians being appointed by the English army to attend in times of war; but this was the first time a career was provided for a Medical Officer (MO), both in peacetime and in war. For much of

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2002-686: The Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley . When the hospital was demolished in 1966, the VC, known as "The Netley VC", was retrieved and is now on display in the Army Medical Services Museum. RAMC officer careers: RAMC soldier trades: Within the military, Medical officers could occupy a number of roles that were dependent on experience, rank and location. Within military documentation, numerous abbreviations were used to identify these roles, of which

2093-468: The Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley . When the hospital was demolished in 1966, the VC, known as "The Netley VC", was retrieved and is now on display in the Army Medical Services Museum. RAMC officer careers: RAMC soldier trades: Within the military, Medical officers could occupy a number of roles that were dependent on experience, rank and location. Within military documentation, numerous abbreviations were used to identify these roles, of which

2184-545: The Victoria Cross was instituted in 1856 there have been 27 Victoria Crosses and two bars awarded to army medical personnel. A bar, indicating a subsequent award of a second Victoria Cross, has only ever been awarded three times, two of them to medical officers. Twenty-three of these Victoria Crosses are on display in the Army Medical Services Museum . The corps also has one recipient of both

2275-400: The Victoria Cross was instituted in 1856 there have been 27 Victoria Crosses and two bars awarded to army medical personnel. A bar, indicating a subsequent award of a second Victoria Cross, has only ever been awarded three times, two of them to medical officers. Twenty-three of these Victoria Crosses are on display in the Army Medical Services Museum . The corps also has one recipient of both

2366-809: The Administrative Headquarters of the IAMC in May 1943. After independence of the country, the Corps has made a steady progress. The men enjoy combatant status. The IAMC was re-designated as Army Medical Corps with effect from 26 January 1950. The post of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services was created in 1949, who functions under the Ministry of Defence . Under the DGAFMS are individual medical service heads. The DFAFMS thus coordinates with

2457-822: The Army Bearer Corps was re-organised into 10 Division Companies and the duties of these Companies in war were to carry stretchers and doolies, and in peace for general work in hospital. The Indian Hospital Corps was formed on 1 June 1920 by combining the Army Hospital Corps and Army Bearer Corps and the subordinate personnel of Indian Station Hospitals, comprising persons of categories then considered necessary for hospitals, field ambulances and other medical units. Indian troops had no station hospital facilities until 1918, and had to depend entirely on their regimental hospitals. In October 1918, Station Hospitals for Indian troops were sanctioned. Ward orderlies and followers came from Army Hospital Corps and bearers were provided by

2548-680: The Army Bearer Corps. The IHC initially was divided into 10 Division Companies corresponding to the 10 existing Military Divisions in India and Burma and they were located at Peshwar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Quetta, Mhow, Pune , Meerut, Lucknow, Secunderabad and Rangoon. The whole corps was re-organised on command basis during the year 1929-32 and thus there were five companies of the IHC in 1932, No 1 Company at Rawalpindi, No 2 Company at Lucknow, No 3 Company at Poona. No 4 Company at Quetta and No 5 Company at Rangoon. On separation of Burma in 1935, No 5 Company of IHC

2639-645: The Army Hospital Native Corps was formed of menials of the disbanded British Regimental Hospitals, Compounders, dressers, ward coolies, barbers, shop coolies, cooks, bhistis and sweepers and were designated as, Hospital Attendants. With the abolition of the Presidency Armies by the Government and the evolution of the Army into 10 Divisions, the Army Hospital Native Corps was re-organised into 10 Companies as Army Hospital Corps. It

2730-475: The Army Medical Department (the Invalid Depôt having relocated to Chatham from the Isle of Wight). A General Military Hospital was established on the site, which took on many of the functions (and most of the patients) of the old York Hospital. The influence of the Director-General grew, and from 1833 he was given sole charge of the department. That same year the (hitherto separate) Irish Medical Board

2821-481: The Board, however, was criticised, for both high expenditure and poor management. By the end of the century the Board had been disestablished, and most of the General Hospitals were closed or repurposed not long afterwards. By 1807 the only General Hospitals in operation were York Hospital (which was close to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea , where invalided soldiers were routinely sent for pension assessment) and

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2912-463: The Company appointed John Woodall as their first Surgeon General. Under him, medical Corps officers (mainly civilians) were recruited more or less on individual contracts. The company expanded activities in various part of the country which necessitated the formation and maintenance of regular bodies of troops in India. As a consequence, they commenced employing military surgeons from 1745 onwards. It

3003-848: The Defence Services was first conceived in 1939 with the out break of World War II and with the formation of Indian Army Medical Corps on 3 April 1943, the extinction of the IMS as such was merely a matter of time. On 14 Aug 1947 the service was finally wound up. The history of the Indian Medical Department (IMD) dates back to 19th century. Initially starting as compounders and dressers in the three Presidency Medical Services they became Sub Surgeons and later on as Indian Medical Assistants in Indian Regiments. In 1868, they were redesignated as Hospital Assistants. In 1900,

3094-419: The English army to attend in times of war; but this was the first time a career was provided for a Medical Officer (MO), both in peacetime and in war. For much of the next two hundred years, army medical provision was mostly arranged on a regimental basis, with each battalion arranging its own hospital facilities and medical supplies. An element of oversight was provided by the appointment of three officials:

3185-517: The Father of Army Medicine, had served as principal medical officer under the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War . During that time he had introduced significant changes in the organisation of the army's medical services, placing them on a far more formal footing: together with George Guthrie , he instituted the use of dedicated ambulance wagons to transport the wounded, and set up

3276-648: The Government of India. The designation was later changed into the Director General, Indian Medical Service. In 1913, the appointment was designated as the Director of Medical Services in India. Until the First World War the IMS was predominantly civil in character, but gradually from 1912 onwards those employed in civil duties became less and less in number. Indianisation of this service commenced from 1915 onwards. Sarjoo Coomar Goodeve Chauckerbutty

3367-566: The RAMC and the Army itself were, decided that a radical reform was needed. Chief among them was Alfred Fripp , who had been chosen by the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital Committee to order all the necessary materials and medical personnel, and oversee the setting-up of a private hospital at Deelfontein to cater, initially, for 520 'sick and wounded.' The contrast between the smooth working of the IYH at Deelfontein with

3458-425: The RAMC and the Army itself were, decided that a radical reform was needed. Chief among them was Alfred Fripp , who had been chosen by the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital Committee to order all the necessary materials and medical personnel, and oversee the setting-up of a private hospital at Deelfontein to cater, initially, for 520 'sick and wounded.' The contrast between the smooth working of the IYH at Deelfontein with

3549-745: The Senior Hospital Assistants were granted the rank of Viceroy's Commissioned Officers and in 1910 the designation was finally changed to Sub Assistant Surgeons of IMD. Army Medical Corps (AMC) were primarily for work with the Indian troops. In the days of the East India Company there were no regular formations or units charged with the task of looking after the health of troops. In 1881 the British Regimental Hospitals gave way to British Station Hospitals and they needed subordinate persons. So in 1881,

3640-602: The United Kingdom and established clinics and hospitals in countries where there were British troops. Major-General Sir William Macpherson of the RAMC wrote the official Medical History of the War (HMSO 1922). Before the Second World War , RAMC recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m) tall, and could enlist up to 30 years of age. They initially enlisted for seven years with

3731-423: The United Kingdom and established clinics and hospitals in countries where there were British troops. Major-General Sir William Macpherson of the RAMC wrote the official Medical History of the War (HMSO 1922). Before the Second World War , RAMC recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m) tall, and could enlist up to 30 years of age. They initially enlisted for seven years with

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3822-783: The Victoria Cross and the Iron Cross . One officer was awarded the George Cross in the Second World War. A young member of the corps, Private Michelle Norris , became the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross following her actions in Iraq on 11 June 2006. One VC is in existence that is not counted in any official records. In 1856, Queen Victoria laid a Victoria Cross beneath the foundation stone of

3913-421: The Victoria Cross and the Iron Cross . One officer was awarded the George Cross in the Second World War. A young member of the corps, Private Michelle Norris , became the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross following her actions in Iraq on 11 June 2006. One VC is in existence that is not counted in any official records. In 1856, Queen Victoria laid a Victoria Cross beneath the foundation stone of

4004-684: The chaos of the RAMC hospitals, where an enteric epidemic had overwhelmed the staff, led to questions in Parliament, mainly by William Burdett-Coutts . In July 1901 the first meeting of the Committee of Reform took place, with all the aforementioned civilian experts, plus Sir Edwin Cooper Perry , making up half the number; the rest were Army men, and included Alfred Keogh , whom the new Secretary of State for War, St John Brodrick , later Earl of Midleton , appointed Chairman of this committee and

4095-508: The chaos of the RAMC hospitals, where an enteric epidemic had overwhelmed the staff, led to questions in Parliament, mainly by William Burdett-Coutts . In July 1901 the first meeting of the Committee of Reform took place, with all the aforementioned civilian experts, plus Sir Edwin Cooper Perry , making up half the number; the rest were Army men, and included Alfred Keogh , whom the new Secretary of State for War, St John Brodrick , later Earl of Midleton , appointed Chairman of this committee and

4186-538: The colours, and a further five years with the reserve, or three years and nine years. They trained for six months at the RAMC Depot, Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Church Crookham , before proceeding to specialist trade training. The RAMC Depot moved from Church Crookham to Keogh Barracks in Mytchett in 1964. The Secretary of State for Defence John Healey announced on 15 October 2024, that it would amalgamate with

4277-424: The colours, and a further five years with the reserve, or three years and nine years. They trained for six months at the RAMC Depot, Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Church Crookham , before proceeding to specialist trade training. The RAMC Depot moved from Church Crookham to Keogh Barracks in Mytchett in 1964. The Secretary of State for Defence John Healey announced on 15 October 2024, that it would amalgamate with

4368-417: The corps was amalgamated with the Royal Army Dental Corps and Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps to form the Royal Army Medical Service . Medical services in the British armed services date from the formation of the Standing Regular Army after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. Prior to this, from as early as the 13th century there are records of surgeons and physicians being appointed by

4459-461: The country. Official site [1] Royal Army Medical Corps The Royal Army Medical Corps ( RAMC ) was a specialist corps in the British Army which provided medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. On 15 November 2024, the corps was amalgamated with the Royal Army Dental Corps and Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps to form

4550-621: The doctors' injustices. There was no response from the Secretary of State for War . The British Medical Association , the Royal College of Physicians and others redoubled their protests. Eventually, by authority of a royal warrant dated 25 June 1898, officers and soldiers providing medical services were incorporated into a new body known by its present name, the Royal Army Medical Corps ; its first Colonel-in-Chief

4641-427: The doctors' injustices. There was no response from the Secretary of State for War . The British Medical Association , the Royal College of Physicians and others redoubled their protests. Eventually, by authority of a royal warrant dated 25 June 1898, officers and soldiers providing medical services were incorporated into a new body known by its present name, the Royal Army Medical Corps ; its first Colonel-in-Chief

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4732-628: The field areas. Each Command has a Command Hospital and there are specialised hospitals like the Army Institute of Cardio-Thoracic Sciences (AICTS) and Artificial Limb Centre, both of which are located at Pune . At the apex is the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) . In addition, AMC also have 32 Station Health Organizations (SHO), 02 Army Medical Store Depots (AMSDs), 07 Forward Medical STore Depots (FMSDs) and 04 ARmed Forces Medical STore Depots (AFMSDs) The AMC Centre and College

4823-469: The first official drum major to be appointed to the band. It was disbanded in 1984, being one of the first to go in the as a result of the restructuring of the Army. It is today retained in the Army Medical Services Band. Royal Army Medical Corps The Royal Army Medical Corps ( RAMC ) was a specialist corps in the British Army which provided medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. On 15 November 2024,

4914-449: The following are among the most common. Since 1903, the corps had published an academic journal titled the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps ( JRAMC ). Its stated aim was to "publish high quality research, reviews and case reports, as well as other invited articles, which pertain to the practice of military medicine in its broadest sense". Submissions were accepted from serving members of all ranks, as well as academics from outside

5005-449: The following are among the most common. Since 1903, the corps had published an academic journal titled the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps ( JRAMC ). Its stated aim was to "publish high quality research, reviews and case reports, as well as other invited articles, which pertain to the practice of military medicine in its broadest sense". Submissions were accepted from serving members of all ranks, as well as academics from outside

5096-415: The front. Within weeks of arriving, more than half the British force had been incapacitated by disease (mainly typhus , dysentery and cholera ); and in the space of seven months some 10,000 British servicemen out of a total of 28,000 had died. In June 1855 a Medical Staff Corps was established (in place of the Hospital Conveyance Corps, which had by then been merged into the Land Transport Corps ). It

5187-611: The heads of the medical services of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Army Dental Corps (ADC) and the Military Nursing Service have their own department heads (Director General Dental Services and Additional Director General Military Nursing Service) functioning under the DGAFMS. The AFMS provides its services through a network Medical Inspection (MI) rooms located in the Units, Station Health Organisations and Family Welfare Centres; 133 Military Hospitals located at static military stations (which has varying bed strengths) and 99 Field Hospitals that provide medical care to service personnel in

5278-466: The hospital at Parkhurst (which was attached to the army's Invalid Depôt on the Isle of Wight, where soldiers invalided home from service overseas were initially sent). In 1810 the offices of Surgeon-general and Physician-general were abolished and a new Army Medical Department was established, overseen by a board chaired by a Director-General of the Medical Department. James McGrigor served in this role from 1815 to 1851: McGrigor, who has been called

5369-428: The inadequacies of the Army Medical Department (and many others). In 1854 there were only 163 surgeons on the Department's books; the Army had just two ambulance wagons, both of which were left behind in Bulgaria, and it relied for stretcher bearers on the Hospital Conveyance Corps (which was made up of pensioners and others deemed too infirm to fight). Two base hospitals were set up in Scutari , more than 300 miles from

5460-439: The military. Initially a monthly publication, in 2015 it was being published quarterly by BMJ on behalf of the RAMC Association. The Museum of Military Medicine is based at Keogh Barracks in Mytchett in Surrey. From 1898 to 1984, the RAMC maintained a staff band in its ranks. The earliest record of music in the RAMC was in the 1880s when a Corporal of the Medical Staff Corps was sent to Kneller Hall to be trained as

5551-439: The military. Initially a monthly publication, in 2015 it was being published quarterly by BMJ on behalf of the RAMC Association. The Museum of Military Medicine is based at Keogh Barracks in Mytchett in Surrey. From 1898 to 1984, the RAMC maintained a staff band in its ranks. The earliest record of music in the RAMC was in the 1880s when a Corporal of the Medical Staff Corps was sent to Kneller Hall to be trained as

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5642-402: The new Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley outside Southampton. Netley functioned as a general hospital, but much of the army's medical work continued to be carried out at a regimental level. At the time a regiment of 1,044 men would have a medical staff of one surgeon and two assistants (with an additional assistant being appointed if the regiment was stationed abroad, so as to allow

5733-479: The next two hundred years, army medical provision was mostly arranged on a regimental basis, with each battalion arranging its own hospital facilities and medical supplies. An element of oversight was provided by the appointment of three officials: a Surgeon-general , a Physician-general and an Apothecary-general . In 1793 an Army Medical Board was formed (consisting of the Surgeon-general, Physician-general and Inspector of Regimental Infirmaries), which promoted

5824-415: The pattern of the Royal Army Medical Corps on 3 Apr 1943 by the amalgamation of the Indian Medical Service, the Indian Medical Department and the Indian Hospital corps. The Corps was formed as a wartime necessity for attracting suitably qualified men for service in a rapidly expanding army. The history of the Indian Medical Service (IMS) dates back to 1612 when, on the formation of the East India Company ,

5915-539: The regiment was stationed abroad, so as to allow the senior assistant to remain at home with the companies appointed to the depot ). The regimental basis of appointment for MOs continued until 1873, when a coordinated army medical service was set up. To join, a doctor needed to be qualified, single, and aged at least 21, and then undergo a further examination in physiology, surgery, medicine, zoology, botany and physical geography including meteorology, and also to satisfy various other requirements (including having dissected

6006-412: The senior RAMC officer seconded to the IYH in Deelfontein who acquiesced in all Fripp's surprising innovations, and Alfred Keogh , whom Fripp recommended to Brodrick as an RAMC man well-regarded when Registrar of No.3 General Hospital in Cape Town . Its main base was for long the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital at Millbank, London (now closed). It set up a network of military general hospitals around

6097-412: The senior RAMC officer seconded to the IYH in Deelfontein who acquiesced in all Fripp's surprising innovations, and Alfred Keogh , whom Fripp recommended to Brodrick as an RAMC man well-regarded when Registrar of No.3 General Hospital in Cape Town . Its main base was for long the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital at Millbank, London (now closed). It set up a network of military general hospitals around

6188-489: The senior assistant to remain at home with the companies appointed to the depot ). The regimental basis of appointment for MOs continued until 1873, when a coordinated army medical service was set up. To join, a doctor needed to be qualified, single, and aged at least 21, and then undergo a further examination in physiology, surgery, medicine, zoology, botany and physical geography including meteorology, and also to satisfy various other requirements (including having dissected

6279-399: The site, which took on many of the functions (and most of the patients) of the old York Hospital. The influence of the Director-General grew, and from 1833 he was given sole charge of the department. That same year the (hitherto separate) Irish Medical Board was merged into the department, as was the Ordnance Medical Department twenty years later. The Crimean War , however, would lay bare

6370-477: The subsequent Advisory Committee. Neither would have met so soon—if at all—but for Fripp's concern to limit unnecessary suffering, and for his ten years' friendship with the new King, Edward VII . Fripp showed him his plans for reform and the King made sure that they were not shelved by his government. Part of his plan was to move the Netley Hospital and Medical School to a Thames-side site at Millbank , London. Cooper Perry , Fripp's colleague from Guy's Hospital ,

6461-477: The subsequent Advisory Committee. Neither would have met so soon—if at all—but for Fripp's concern to limit unnecessary suffering, and for his ten years' friendship with the new King, Edward VII . Fripp showed him his plans for reform and the King made sure that they were not shelved by his government. Part of his plan was to move the Netley Hospital and Medical School to a Thames-side site at Millbank , London. Cooper Perry , Fripp's colleague from Guy's Hospital ,

6552-641: The whole body at least once and having attended 12 midwifery cases); the results were published in three classes by the Army Medical School. In 1884 the medical officers of the Army Medical Department were brought together with the quartermasters who provided their supplies to form the Army Medical Staff , which was given command of the Medical Staff Corps (which consisted entirely of other ranks ). Nevertheless, there

6643-431: The whole body at least once and having attended 12 midwifery cases); the results were published in three classes by the Army Medical School. In 1884 the medical officers of the Army Medical Department were brought together with the quartermasters who provided their supplies to form the Army Medical Staff , which was given command of the Medical Staff Corps (which consisted entirely of other ranks ). Nevertheless, there

6734-638: Was Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught . The RAMC began to develop during the Boer War of 1899–1902. The Corps itself lost 743 officers and 6130 soldiers in the war. However, far more of them, and thousands more of the sick and wounded whom they treated, would have died if it had not been for the civilian doctors working in South Africa as volunteers—such as Sir Frederick Treves , Sir George Makins , Sir Howard Henry Tooth and Professor Alexander Ogston —who, having seen how unprepared to deal with epidemics

6825-522: Was Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught . The RAMC began to develop during the Boer War of 1899–1902. The Corps itself lost 743 officers and 6130 soldiers in the war. However, far more of them, and thousands more of the sick and wounded whom they treated, would have died if it had not been for the civilian doctors working in South Africa as volunteers—such as Sir Frederick Treves , Sir George Makins , Sir Howard Henry Tooth and Professor Alexander Ogston —who, having seen how unprepared to deal with epidemics

6916-403: Was close to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea , where invalided soldiers were routinely sent for pension assessment) and the hospital at Parkhurst (which was attached to the army's Invalid Depôt on the Isle of Wight, where soldiers invalided home from service overseas were initially sent). In 1810 the offices of Surgeon-general and Physician-general were abolished and a new Army Medical Department

7007-503: Was established, overseen by a board chaired by a Director-General of the Medical Department. James McGrigor served in this role from 1815 to 1851: McGrigor, who has been called the Father of Army Medicine, had served as principal medical officer under the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War . During that time he had introduced significant changes in the organisation of the army's medical services, placing them on

7098-468: Was formed as Burma Hospital Corps and this left four companies of IHC. World War II was responsible for rapid developments. The idea of having a homogeneous corps by amalgamating IMS, IMD gradually took shape and Indian Army Medical Corps (IAMC) came into being on 03 Apr 1943. The organisation was to be in the lines of the Royal Army Medical Corps . On the formation of the IAMC, the IHC HQs at Poona became

7189-403: Was formed of nine companies, overseen by a single officer, and had its headquarters at Fort Pitt. The Medical Staff Corps was set up to provide orderlies and stretcher bearers (later it was renamed the Army Hospital Corps, but reverted to its original title in 1884). The officers known as purveyors, who were responsible for medical provisioning, were formed into a separate Purveyors' Department by

7280-594: Was instrumental in making this happen, as well as using his formidable talents as an organizer in other services for the Reform Committee. Fripp and Cooper Perry were knighted for their services to the RAMC Committee of Reform in 1903. During the First World War , the corps reached its apogee both in size and experience. The two people in charge of the RAMC in the Great War were Arthur Sloggett ,

7371-406: Was instrumental in making this happen, as well as using his formidable talents as an organizer in other services for the Reform Committee. Fripp and Cooper Perry were knighted for their services to the RAMC Committee of Reform in 1903. During the First World War , the corps reached its apogee both in size and experience. The two people in charge of the RAMC in the Great War were Arthur Sloggett ,

7462-454: Was made up of pensioners and others deemed too infirm to fight). Two base hospitals were set up in Scutari , more than 300 miles from the front. Within weeks of arriving, more than half the British force had been incapacitated by disease (mainly typhus , dysentery and cholera ); and in the space of seven months some 10,000 British servicemen out of a total of 28,000 had died. In June 1855

7553-626: Was merged into the department, as was the Ordnance Medical Department twenty years later. The Crimean War , however, would lay bare the inadequacies of the Army Medical Department (and many others). In 1854 there were only 163 surgeons on the Department's books; the Army had just two ambulance wagons, both of which were left behind in Bulgaria, and it relied for stretcher bearers on the Hospital Conveyance Corps (which

7644-561: Was much unhappiness in the Army Medical Service in the following years as medical officers did not have military rank but "advantages corresponding to relative military rank" (such as choice of quarters, rates of lodging money, servants, fuel and light, allowances on account of injuries received in action, and pensions and allowances to widows and families). They had inferior pay in India, excessive amounts of Indian and colonial service (being required to serve in India six years at

7735-489: Was much unhappiness in the Army Medical Service in the following years as medical officers did not have military rank but "advantages corresponding to relative military rank" (such as choice of quarters, rates of lodging money, servants, fuel and light, allowances on account of injuries received in action, and pensions and allowances to widows and families). They had inferior pay in India, excessive amounts of Indian and colonial service (being required to serve in India six years at

7826-758: Was not until 1764 that these surgeons were made into regular establishment of the company's armies. Thus the Bengal Medical Service was formed in 1764, the Madras Medical Service in 1767 and the Bombay Medical Service in 1779 for the three Presidency Armies of Bengal, Madras and Bombay. The three medical services were combined into the Indian Medical Services (IMS) in Apr 1886 under a Surgeon General to

7917-492: Was not until 1901 that the necessity for a proper corps of bearers was accepted by the Government and in this year, Dooly Bearers and Kahars were enlisted in the newly formed Army Bearer Corps, which came under the Medical Department. The Army Hospital Corps persons did the menial service in British Station Hospitals and the Army Bearer Corps provided persons for the carriage of the sick and wounded. In 1903,

8008-795: Was press coverage critical of the standard of care during the surge of UK military commitments in the years following the second invasion of Iraq, but it was later reported that the care provided to injured troops had significantly improved. Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth , Derriford Hospital in Plymouth , James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and Frimley Park Hospital (near Aldershot Garrison ) also have military hospital units attached to them but they do not treat operational casualties. The RAMC had its own distinctive insignia: Colonels-in-Chief have been: Since

8099-620: Was press coverage critical of the standard of care during the surge of UK military commitments in the years following the second invasion of Iraq, but it was later reported that the care provided to injured troops had significantly improved. Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth , Derriford Hospital in Plymouth , James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and Frimley Park Hospital (near Aldershot Garrison ) also have military hospital units attached to them but they do not treat operational casualties. The RAMC had its own distinctive insignia: Colonels-in-Chief have been: Since

8190-420: Was set up in 1860 at Fort Pitt Hospital before moving in 1863 to the new Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley outside Southampton. Netley functioned as a general hospital, but much of the army's medical work continued to be carried out at a regimental level. At the time a regiment of 1,044 men would have a medical staff of one surgeon and two assistants (with an additional assistant being appointed if

8281-407: Was the first Indian to enter the service as Assistant Surgeon on 24 Jan 1855. Until Burma was separated in 1935, the IMS was catering for the civil and military needs of Burma also. During this period, the IMS was assisted by the members of the Indian Medical Department (IMD) and Indian Hospital Corps (IHC). The idea of re-organising the medical services into a separate Medical Corps exclusively for

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