A special parade was held at Edinburgh Castle to mark the formation of 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment (215 (Sc) MMR).
Honorary Colonel of 215 (Sc) MMR Dame Katherine Grainger DBE met Reservists from the new regiment.
Honorary Colonel of 215 (Sc) MMR Dame Katherine Grainger DBE inspected the parade.
225 (Scottish) Medical Regiment (225 (Sc) Med Regt) and 205 Field Hospital (205 Fd Hosp), Army Reserve Units with responsibilities for different aspects of the Patient Care Pathway, came together on the esplanade to merge as 215 (Sc) MMR.
The merger of these capabilities gives an integrated healthcare system to support operations around the world.
Today, 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment paraded on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. A significant and historical location to mark a significant and historical moment of the formation of the only Army medical services regiment in Scotland.”
Taking the Salute was the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Alistair Bruce of Crionaich OBE DL VR accompanied by the Honorary Colonel of 215 (Sc) MMR Dame Katherine Grainger DBE.
General Officer Scotland, Major General Robin Lindsey CBE and Surgeon General, Major General Tim Hodgetts CB CBE KHS OStJ DL also attended.
The parade was followed by a blessing in the Scottish National War Memorial.
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) BP Gordon MStJ, had the honour of wearing the sword of Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, VC & Bar, MC, who was awarded the Victoria Cross twice during World War One.
A medical doctor, Olympic athlete, and British Army officer – one of only three people to be awarded a Victoria Cross twice.
Lt Col Gordon said: “Today, 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment paraded on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. A significant and historical location to mark a significant and historical moment of the formation of the only Army medical services regiment in Scotland.
"A Multirole Medical Regiment delivers every capability required to support the fighting forces on the battlefield.”
215 (Sc) MMR is now the only Army Medical Services Regiment in Scotland with its Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) in Glasgow, a Role 1 Medical Squadron in Glenrothes and Hospital Squadrons in Edinburgh and Aberdeen along with troop locations in Dundee and Inverness.
The Regiment has the full spectrum of healthcare capabilities in its ranks to support tasks from training and education through to warfighting operations.
215 (Sc) MMR will deploy in 2024 to Kenya to deliver Health Outreach Clinics alongside local charity organisations in remote areas of Africa and Defence Engagement activities alongside the Kenyan Defence Force.
225 (Sc) Med Regt had its RHQ in Dundee with squadrons in Sunderland, Glenrothes and Stirling. Its role was to deliver Role 1 Medical Support, integrated with the fighting forces delivering lifesaving care and casualty evacuation in the battle space.
205 Fd Hosp’s RHQ was in Glasgow with detachments in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Inverness. Responsible for the delivery of Deployed Hospital Care and the delivery of definitive surgical interventions and resuscitation its workforce is drawn from across the NHS Trusts of Scotland.
Both units have long and prestigious histories and have served to deliver medical support to every operation that the British Army have deployed on since the Boer War.
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