A new digital medical records system integrated with the NHS is set to cut recruitment delays for the Armed Forces, replacing decades-old paper-based processes that have slowed down enlistment and deployment.
Under the plans, military health records will be digitised and linked directly with NHS systems for the first time. The move is intended to streamline medical checks for new recruits and ensure faster, more reliable access to health information for serving personnel and service leavers.
At present, transferring medical records between the NHS and Defence Medical Services relies heavily on paperwork, often causing lengthy delays. The Ministry of Defence said the new system would significantly reduce these bottlenecks, helping recruits enter training sooner and improving overall readiness.
The MOD has awarded a £7.8 million contract to Leeds-based software company The Phoenix Partnership to deliver the system. It is expected to be fully in place by 2027.
The changes will also affect those leaving the Armed Forces. Service leavers will no longer need to chase medical records when registering with civilian GPs, allowing for a smoother transition back into NHS care.
Minister for veterans and people Louise Sandher-Jones said the move would modernise military healthcare and remove unnecessary bureaucracy, helping both recruitment and transition into civilian life.
The contract forms part of wider efforts under the Defence Industrial Strategy to modernise defence systems while supporting UK-based technology firms. It also builds on the recently awarded £2.5 million Project Mercury contract, which enables Defence medics to access medical records securely during operations and exercises.
Senior Defence medical leaders said the new electronic records system would improve patient safety, information sharing and operational effectiveness by giving clinicians faster access to accurate health data.
