Director General Medical Services (RAF)

The DGMS (RAF) mission statement is 'to contribute to the Air Mission and Defence Medical Services outputs through the provision of high quality medical services'. This is broken down into 3 key outputs:

1. Medical operational capability and Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) in all its forms.

2. Promotion of health and effective medical treatment and rehabilitation in order to optimise the number of personnel who are fit for their operational and other roles.

3. A comprehensive network of specialists and advisors concentrating on Aviation Medicine who support the DMS and wider Defence roles.

DGMS (RAF) is also Chief of Staff Health with a Directorate of approximately 80 staff based at Headquarters Air Command, RAF High Wycombe. They are split into the following functional areas:

1. Medical Operations The delivery of a programme of complete healthcare to deployed RAF and other entitled personnel, while providing the lead in all aspects of aeromedical evacuation.

2. Medical Programmes. Providing strategic direction for medical operations and related tasks.

3. Aviation Medicine and Policy. Delivering a programme of focussed international engagements to enhance aeromedical interoperability with key partners and to secure the RAF Medical Services’ reputation and influence in the field of aviation medicine.

4. Governance. Providing evidence of improving delivery of services to registered personnel to meet the quality and standards laid down in Standards for Better Health.

5. Personnel. To ensure RAF Medical Services personnel have the correct qualifications and competencies to fulfil their role.

6. Regional Rehabilitation Units. Strategic oversight of Defence Intermediate Rehabilitation.

7. Coordination and Communication. Deliver a comprehensive programme of internal and external communication that enhances the reputation of the RAF Medical Services and the RAF.

8. Primary Health Care. Professional oversight of the delivery of primary and healthcare to units.

9. Director of Nursing Services. Professional head of the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service.

Air Vice-Marshal C B Morris

QHS MBBS FFOM MMedSci DRCOG DAvMed RAF
Chief of Staff Health and Director General Medical Services
(Royal Air Force)

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Morris joined the RAF in 1972 as a medical cadet and graduated from Westminster Medical School in 1975. Following NHS House Officer and Senior House Officer appointments, he undertook General Practice Vocational Training in the RAF, which included tours at Joint Service Medical Rehabilitation Unit Chessington, RAF (Hospital) Ely and RAF Cranwell.

Senior Medical Officer tours followed at RAF Sealand, RAF Gatow, RAF St Mawgan and RAF Laarbruch. He qualified as a Flight Medical Officer in 1985 and General Practitioner Trainer in 1988. Command tours included Command Flight Medical Officer Headquarters Strike Command and Command Medical Officer (Primary Health Care) Headquarters Personnel & Training Command before specialising in Occupational Medicine which culminated in a MSc in 1994. In 1995 he was posted as Officer Commanding Aviation Medicine Training Centre (RAF North Luffenham) and became an Accredited Consultant in 1996. Group Captain appointments were as Assistant Director Medical Policy (Surgeon General's Department) (2000) and the President of the RAF Medical Board (2003). He was promoted to Air Commodore in 2006 as Assistant Chief of Staff Health, initially at Headquarters Personnel & Training Command and subsequently Headquarters Air Command.

He took up his current appointment as Chief of Staff Health and Director General Medical Services (Royal Air Force) at Headquarters Air Command, High Wycombe in September 2009. In July 2010 he was appointed Admiral of the RAF Sailing Association and in November 2010 appointed Vice President of the Association of Service Yacht Clubs.

Air Vice-Marshal Morris is married with two grown up sons and resides in Cornwall. Sporting interests over the years have varied, but continue with windsurfing and offshore sailing.