A hospital ship or medical ship was a starship whose primary function was to be used for medical purposes. This could include serving as a hospital, ambulance, or pharmacy. Because of this, they were typically not well armed with weapons or other defensive systems.

Various cultures had ships of this nature, including the Federation.

In an alternate timeline, one such hospital ship was the USS Pasteur. (TNG: "All Good Things...")

One subject discussed at a conference on Romulus during the Dominion War in 2375 was a proposal to transfer 25 Federation hospital ships to the Romulans. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")

In 2377, USS Voyager came across a Kraylor medical ship that Harry Kim named Nightingale. (VOY: "Nightingale")

The Denobulans used medical ships to transport their medical supplies. (ENT: "Cold Station 12")

Starship types

attack cruiser • attack fighter • battle cruiser • battleship • bird-of-prey • cruiser • destroyer • dreadnought • escort vessel • explorer ship • flagship • freighter • frigate • garbage scow • heavy cruiser • hospital ship • interceptor • light cruiser • luxury liner • patrol ship • prison ship • raider • runabout • science vessel • scout ship • star cruiser • starliner • supply ship • survey ship • tanker • timeship • training vessel • transport ship • tug • warbird • warship