DMWS receives The National Lottery Community funding to support NHS department affected by Covid-19 - DMWS
DMWS has received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support NHS Staff and hospital patients affected by Covid-19 at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Emergency Department.
We are delighted to receive this funding from the TNL Community Fund. It will allow us to support elderly or frail individuals who have, through Covid-19 lockdown, been even more isolated than previously. We will also support the increased number of patients with mental health issues including suicide, due to social isolation and anxiety from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Paul Gaffney, CEO, Defence Medical Welfare Service
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) are delighted that DMWS have been awarded National Lottery funding to embark on a new project to support patients in our Emergency Department & across our admission ward areas who present with conditions attributed to the covid pandemic.
DMWS are already established within NUH with a welfare service providing our Armed forces, Veterans and forces families community with valuable welfare support during their inpatient stay & beyond once discharged from NUH.
The new project will now serve the whole population of Nottinghamshire, DMWS will be embedding a full time welfare officer to work alongside clinicians to identify patients wellbeing needs, commence non- medical conversations and optimise solutions to support getting patients home more swiftly. This support is envisaged to reduce repetitive presentations to the emergency department. The focus will be particularly upon older frail individuals who through lockdown have become more isolated than previously and also with the increased numbers of patients who are presenting with mental health issues arising from social isolation & anxiety as a result of the covid pandemic. Further beneficiaries of the welfare officer support will be our Team NUH NHS colleagues who are facing unprecedented pressures and increased stress & anxiety as a result of the pandemic. DMWS are able to offer a listening ear for patients, carers and NHS staff alike and are able to signpost to appropriate support services. DMWS are experts in Healthcare Navigation from hospital to home acting as care navigators and also provide advocacy and liaison with local organisations.
NUH look forward to working alongside DMWS to provide practical support, psychological wellbeing & emotional resilience to reduce the devastating effects of social isolation which the current covid pandemic has brought into sharp focus.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
For further information contact DMWS: 01264 774 000 |Email: info@dmws.org.uk
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Notes to Editors:
About Defence Medical Welfare Service
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing medical welfare to The Armed Forces, veterans, NHS staff, blue light services, The Merchant Navy & their immediate family when they are receiving medical treatment in hospital. DMWS’ practical and emotional support ensures that no family goes through the worry of illness or injury alone.
Since 1943 DMWS has also deployed to areas of conflict with the Armed Forces working alongside medical staff in the Field Hospitals.
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an external provider of expert Welfare, Resilience and Mental Health First Aid Training for preventative and intervention strategies for people working in the welfare arena and anyone who wants to improve their knowledge and confidence in supporting others.
The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (known as DMWS) is a registered charity in England and Wales (1087210) and in Scotland (SC045460)
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Published: 24th September, 2020