Defence Medical Welfare Service shortlisted for PEN National Award! - DMWS

The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) has been shortlisted in the Patient Experience Network (PEN) National Awards. The charity, which provides an independent  face-to-face medical welfare service to the Armed Forces Community whenever they are receiving medical treatment; is a finalist in the ‘Partnership Working to Improve the Experience’ category.

The PENNA National Awards are the first patient experience awards in the UK, celebrating the delivery of outstanding patient experience by those involved in the health and social care industry. The ‘Partnership Working to Improve the Experience’ category looks for strategic programmes and initiatives focusing on the specific use of patient experience measurement to drive improvement. The nomination was judged on innovation, leadership, outcomes, sustainability, transferability & dissemination; to make the final shortlist.

Jess Liston, DMWS South Area Manager, said: “Partnership working and the overall patient experience is at the very heart of DMWS as a charity. I am incredibly proud of our welfare officers who work with clinical and discharge teams to provide the best support to our armed forces community when they are on a medical care pathway.”

DMWS Welfare Officer Jason Stone was the main nominee for the award for his work with Plymouth NHS Foundations Trust. Jason is directly based in Derriford Hospital; he is also a veteran himself and understands that our armed forces often face additional challenges such as issues surrounding deployment, family separation and bereavement, isolation, mental health needs, combat related injuries and medical disorders attributable to Service. His expertise enables early intervention and welfare support outside the clinical treatment pathway, allowing NHS teams to focus on their core work.

Jason Stone, DMWS Welfare Officer, said: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for doing something you are so passionate about. We’ve started something really positive and the recognition is just the icing on the cake”

The winners will be announced at the PEN National Awards on Thursday 20th March at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Published: 4th February, 2019