Guidance

Healthcare regulations and guidance

These publications specify Defence regulations and associated guidance for UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) healthcare activity within UK and overseas.

Documents

DSA02 Healthcare regulatory policy and healthcare regulations

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DSA03 Healthcare Defence Code of Practice (DCOP)

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DSA03 Healthcare Defence Code of Practice (DCOP)

Details

Ministry of Defence (MOD) healthcare regulations are issued by the Defence Medical Services Regulator (DMSR) to provide a framework for ensuring that acceptable levels of healthcare safety and environmental protection are being achieved and maintained.

These regulations are intended for all those engaged in UK MOD healthcare activities worldwide, including support, facilitation, assurance, management and leadership of healthcare. This includes all members of the Armed Forces, civilian employees and others, including contractors.

These regulations do not replace legislative obligations and full reference is to be made to national and international legislation and regulation; and, where applicable, host nation requirements. The regulations are the minimum standards to be adopted for healthcare safety and environmental protection; they are mandatory and full compliance is required. DSA03.DMSR Defence Codes of Practice (DCoP) are included to assist with adherence to the regulations.

DCoP provide guidance that if followed would be considered sufficient to demonstrate compliance with regulation. However, alternative approaches may be utilised where this produces outcomes as good as those required by the regulation.

Further information can be obtained from the Defence Medical Services Regulator by emailing dsa-dmsr-R&C-gp@mod.gov.uk

These Defence Healthcare Regulations supersede the regulations published on 13 January 2023.

Published 17 January 2019
Last updated 13 February 2024 + show all updates
  1. Updated 'DSA02 Healthcare regulatory policy and healthcare regulations' and 'DSA03 Healthcare Defence Code of Practice (DCOP)'.

  2. 'DSA02 Healthcare regulatory policy and healthcare regulations' updated and 'DSA03 Healthcare Defence Code of Practice (DCOP) added. Updated information in the details section.

  3. First published.