Transfer of Practice Records to the Armed Forces

When a person applies to join the Armed Forces there is a specific process to provide the persons medical records so that their suitability can be confirmed. A further process is then followed if their application is successful and they formally join up. This blog explains those two separate processes.

A person wishing to join the Armed Forces will generally attend a careers office where they will complete a range of suitability and screening tests. One of these will be to complete a medical declaration form (these may vary slightly between Army, RAF and Navy) to highlight any medical information that the forces need to be aware of. The recruiting organisation will then send a letter to the applicants GP Practice, example here is from the Army, including a signed consent form, requesting the full medical record be sent to them. The letter sets out the purpose of the processing and how it will be done.

Should an applicant be successful the process that is done when they join up is essentially a GP2GP transfer with the individual being removed from the practice list. The Defence Medical Services then assume full responsibility for the persons primary healthcare. This process, and the responsibilities of the Defence Medical Service, are described in this joint services publication.