2016 Impact Report - DMWS

The latest Defence Medical Welfare Service Impact Report has arrived!

Our 2016 Impact Report showcases the work, commitment and outstanding results of the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS).

DMWS has been providing an independent and impartial medical welfare service for “Those who Serve” for more than 70 years. Our Welfare Officers offer practical and emotional support to ensure that no family goes through the worry of injury or illness alone.
We work with patients when they are receiving treatment on a clinical care pathway – when their medical needs are being met but when other issues, problems or social influences, may be distracting them from their recovery. To that end we act as care navigators, identifying need and finding voluntary and statutory organisations to link with the individual to reduce pressure on NHS staff and to enable the patient to return to health, work and home at the earliest opportunity.

In 2016 we continued to focus on our core business of bringing the Covenant between the Armed Forces and the Nation to life through the provision of our unique, highly responsive and professional medical welfare service to those who serve.

Throughout the report our case studies demonstrate how our service makes a real difference to individuals and family members. We have gathered evidence that demonstrate the cost benefit and value of our professional welfare service to linked organisations and health care providers.

Moreover, we share with you our 2016 highlights which included:

– The acceptance, by HRH, The Countess of Wessex, of the role as our Royal Patron
– The presentation of the Sovereign’s Medal of Merit by the Order of St John
– The commission to deliver multiple new welfare projects across the UK, our reach now extends to new beneficiaries in the Veteran’s community, the Police, the Probation Service and the NHS
– The development of our training provision to continue our work in “professionalising welfare”

We are proud of our partnerships with Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion, The Police Mutual, ABF – The Soldier’s Charity and many others who support our service which contributes to improving the experience for all our service users.