New awards which recognise the "medical heroes" who support Britain's armed forces will be launched today.

New awards which recognise the "medical heroes" who support Britain's armed forces will be launched today.

The health partnership awards will acknowledge the people who provide healthcare to military personnel, veterans and their dependants at home and abroad.

They may be military or civilian, and may work within either the Defence Medical Services, NHS, charity or private sector.

The awards are a joint initiative between the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Wellbeing.

Scottish Health Minister Shona Robison and Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Clive Bairsto will launch the search for medical heroes across Scotland at RAF Leuchars in Fife today.

Among those at the launch will be Squadron Leader Sam Potter, 41, who was mentioned in dispatches for his brave work as a doctor in Basra, Iraq.

The RAF doctor, who is based at Leuchars, helped save lives under enemy fire.

Squadron Leader Potter was Medical Officer with the helicopter borne Immediate Response Team (IRT) in Basra.

Other Scottish based military medics, some of whom have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, will also be at the launch.