The history of the Canadian Forces Medical Service (CFMS) dates back to shortly after 1867 Confederation where Militia, with the inclusion of medical services, was formed to replace the British garrisons. The Canadian Army Medical Corps was formed in 1904. During the First World War the reserve component was organized as an Army Hospital Corps, with eight Cavalry Field Ambulances, fifteen Field Ambulances, and two Clearing Hospitals. In the Second World War we saw the expansion of the CFMS to include Casualty Clearing Stations, General Hospitals, and Convalescent Hospitals. Subsequent to the great wars, Canada furnished medical services to many UN and NATO missions. We are currently the medical lead nation to the effort in Afghanistan, with the provision of a Role 3 facility.

In the past few years the Canadian Forces Health Services Group has undergone a significant structural reorganization. Command and control was removed from the environmental commands and centralized nationally under a Health Services Command, with the realization of efficient health services and standardized training. The Branch continues to evolve as we set ourselves up for the future in a dynamic spectrum of military activity.

The current organization of the Health Services falls under the command of the Director General of Health Services who commands all aspects, both Medicine and Dentistry. The Surgeon General of Canada is the senior medical advisor on all medical clinical matters and the Director of Dental Services performs the same function for those matters on the Dental side of the business. The Reserve Field Ambulances fall under the command of one of the two Health Service Headquarters Detachments, as do the regular force units in a similar geographic area. Canadian Forces Health Services are currently organized into 14 Field Ambulances in the Reserve component and three in the Regular Force. The Reserve Field Ambulances are generally smaller than their Regular Force counterparts, but have the benefit of being situated in most major Canadian cities either as formed units or as detachments of larger units. Each Field Ambulance is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, and holds an approximate membership of 100 reservists. They recruit from the local community, and attract a wide spectrum of candidates; from 18-year-old (typically student) applicants, who possess no clinical training, to fully qualified paramedics, nurses and doctors who want to participate in the military.

The provision of medical support to similarly located Reserve military units undergoing training for operations is the primary mission of the Reserve Field Ambulance. The secondary role is to facilitate augmentation to the regular force for domestic and overseas operations. Due to the current reserve force unit size, capabilities and organizational establishments, augmentation of our Regular Force counterparts consists of individual soldiers and not entire units. Canada does not enact conscription, and hence, while the regular force may be compelled to go on tour, the reserve soldier can elect to participate.

Canada’s aim is to deploy approximately twenty percent of reserve soldiers for overseas tours. In Afghanistan, with a Role 1 and Role 3 medical force of approximately 200 personnel, this target equates to 20 medical staff. Since all soldiers who are selected for operational deployments undergo the same rigorous predeployment training and are also expected to follow the post-deployment follow-up activities, they must set aside 18 months of their time for this purpose. This includes our Medical and Dental Technicians, however, physicians and specialty nurses may deploy for as little as one month, to fill positions vacated by those deployed persons who are on leave. Additionally, our reservists fulfill numerous short-term domestic clinical and clerical positions by backfilling Regular Force training and deployment.

The whole Branch is currently undergoing a Field Force Review to look at all of our legacy structures and propose a plan to restructure them to better meet the needs of the modern battlefield. As change is directed and occurs, this website information will be updated.

For more information regarding the Canadian Forces Health Services, refer to: http://www.forces.gc.ca/health/engraph/home_e.asp