A press release published on 20 October 2026 reported that more than 100 military experts, clinicians and civil servants had taken part in a wargame to test plans for treating injured Armed Forces personnel during possible future operations. The exercise, described as held the previous week and led by Defence Medical Command, examined how the Armed Forces, the NHS and healthcare providers would work together to support military patients returning to the UK after receiving care overseas. Participants assessed plans for civilian health services to treat those patients, as well as medical lessons from the war in Ukraine. The release said providers from around the UK, the US and Canada attended.

Defence Minister Lord Coaker said the exercise put the partnership into practice and that testing plans would build readiness. Surgeon General Major General Phil Carter said such wargames were vital to planning the Operational Patient Care Pathway. Dr Mike Prentice, National Director for NHS Resilience, said the NHS had a vital role in preparedness for future conflict. The release said lessons would inform future planning, with further exercises scheduled in the coming months.