Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) was proud to support the third Navy Medical Officers’ (MO) Symposium and the Maillard Dinner, held at HMS EXCELLENT in Portsmouth on 20–21 March 2025.

With a generous £1,000 grant from RNRMC, the event brought together over 120 Navy Medical Officers from across the Regulars and Reserves, including medical students, trainees, and senior clinicians. The gathering served not only to foster professional development but also to strengthen the community and identity of the Navy’s medical branch.

Surgeon Captain Richard Heames, Commanding Officer, Institute of Naval Medicine and RNRMC Ambassador , shared:

“The opportunities ahead for the next generation of Naval Medical Officers are genuinely exciting — with increasing scope for professional development, clinical challenge, and the chance to practise medicine in austere environments. These are the experiences that build the resilience, judgement, and adaptability essential to delivering care in the most demanding settings.”

The pressures facing military medical staff remain high due to global instability, NHS demands, and operational deployments. Events like this, supported by charitable funding, play a crucial role in boosting morale and facilitating much-needed networking and mentoring across ranks.

Attendees praised the symposium, with one junior officer remarking:

“Having this early in my career would have been so useful — I’m delighted that the junior MOs have been given this opportunity.”

RNRMC branding was featured prominently throughout the event, and Surgeon Captain Heames encouraged those in attendance to support the charity in return — including highlighting a fellow MO fundraising through a triathlon.

We're proud to continue backing the people behind the front line — those who provide vital medical support on operations and at home. Thank you to the entire MO cadre for your service.