Brigadier McNee has had a distinguished career in the Army and Defence Medical Services (DMS). He has undertaken joint 1* roles, commanded at every level and completed Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS). With 23 years in the DMS, he has trained and worked in Radiology, and deployed on multiple operations. Brigadier McNee takes up his new appointment as Surgeon General in May 2024.
As part of his role as Surgeon General, Brigadier McNee will be the functional lead responsible for:
- maximising the number of Service Personnel fit for task through securing appropriate levels of health; optimising the health and healthcare of deployed Population at Risk throughout the Operational Patient Care Pathway.
- the senior technical authority for Defence medicine, including prevention, detection, treatment, and recovery from the full spectrum of illness and injury.
- strategic advice on Defence medical doctrine, concepts, capability planning, force development and lessons.
- directing medical research and medical innovation in Defence, the co-ordination of strategic DMS Defence Engagement and directing continuous clinical quality improvement in Defence.
General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander Strategic Command said:
It gives me great pleasure to announce Brigadier Phil's appointment as the next Surgeon General, on promotion to Major General. Phil's long and broad experience across Defence means that he is ideally qualified and should ensure he is successful in driving DMS's strategy and future delivery of medical capability.
Air Marshal Clare Walton, Director General Defence Medical Services said:
I am delighted by the selection of Brigadier McNee as the next Surgeon General. He brings with him a wealth of valuable experience from his time working in Head Office. As Surgeon General and chief clinician, he will play a vital role in driving forward our new Strategy and Vision, developing the medical capability of the future and working with One Medical Mindset to ensure Armed Forces personnel are fit to fight and can fight back to fitness.
Brigadier Phil McNee said:
I am honoured and delighted to be appointed as the next Surgeon General. I'm looking forward to working with my military and civilian DMS colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that Defence Medicine can be the best it can be, and that our operational medical capabilities are optimised in order to deliver first rate levels of care to our Service Personnel.
