2. Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
DMWS is a Registered Charity providing a Welfare Service to the Armed
Forces Community on behalf of the MOD
Formed from the Joint War Organisation of the British Red Cross and Order
of St John in 1943, we were originally known as the Service Hospitals Welfare
Department (SHWD)
We became an independent charity in 2001 and changed our name to the
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
Our Welfare Officers provide 24/7 support in operational and non-
operational areas
From frontline to recovery we are the only military charity that is present
throughout the care pathway and that deploys to areas of conflict
About DMWS
3. Where we work
You will find us in Hospitals, Rehabilitation and Recovery Centres
across the UK, Germany and Cyprus supporting over 13,500
patients & families every year
Frontline: Role 3 Hospital, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
Hospital: NHS hospitals and overseas hospitals in Germany &
Cyprus
Rehabilitation: DMRC Headley Court
Recovery: Tedworth House, Battleback Centre and Personnel
Recovery Centre Sennelager
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since
1943
4. Examples include:
Hospital Ward Rounds
Liaison with medical & unit welfare
staff
Support in the event of death or
bereavement
Supporting the terminally ill
Support with coming to terms with
serious injury or illness
Accompanying families to critical
care units
Organising transport &
accommodation
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
What we do
Providing practical and emotional support, information and advice for
patients and their families when they are in hospital, rehabilitation or
recovery centres. Also providing support to staff and patients at the Role 3
Field Hospital in Afghanistan regardless of nationality.
5. Supporting younger years children
Welfare Officers understand
the effect having an injured
or sick parent can have on
younger children
Hospitals can be a scary
place to be when you're a
young child
DMWS tries to minimise
children’s anxiety during
difficult times
Can also signpost to other
agencies or services
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
6. My Hero’s Helper Activity Book
Having a parent that’s in
hospital can be an unsettling
time for young children
DMWS staff came up with
the idea of the Activity book
from supporting families at
RCDM Birmingham
Support from Help for
Heroes turned it into a
reality
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
7. New projects
Children's Activity Packs -
keeping young children
occupied when visiting
parents in hospital or are a
patients themselves
New Mum & Baby Packs -
practical information and
advice
Patient Welcome Packs –
information on services and
other organisations
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
8. Any Questions ?
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
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Supporting families at Fisher House
Talk about the book Activity book to help your children express their feelings Using Hero Bear to talk to children in a way that allows you to express your anxieties and fears together
Children's Activity Packs – Colouring book, crayons, toy etc. New Mums & Baby Packs – visiting new mums in hospital, especially in Germany is a large part of our role. Welcome Packs – Support and information for patients and families