The ongoing support and reassurance should not be underestimated. The presence of DMWS during my past 6 months helped me keep going and moving forward.
Critically ill dependant of a soldier
Our independent and impartial medical welfare service supports patients when they are on a medical care pathway, when their medical needs are being met but when other issues may hamper their recovery. We also support those who are affected by the patient’s medical condition including close family members and care workers. The type of cases can range from assisting with traumatic and complex injuries, less severe cases where more practical help is needed, supporting those who suffer from ill mental health to dealing with bereavement and terminal illness.
Everyone we support will have different worries and concerns. Our practical and emotional support is tailored to the individual needs of our service users. Some of the ways we can help include:
- Making an independent and impartial early assessment of need
- Visiting patients in hospital and providing clinic and outpatient appointment support
- Liaison between the workplace, the NHS, service providers and the patient
- Offering a confidential and impartial ‘Listening Ear’ and encouraging engagement
- Intelligent signposting and supported referrals for patients to other statutory, voluntary and community organisations and services
- Recognising issues that may be affecting a patient’s wellbeing such as debt, housing, family breakdown and substance misuse
- Identifying possible safeguarding issues, of the individual and/or family members
- Liaising with and supporting family members
- Accompanying families to critical care and specialist units
- Supporting the bereaved and terminally ill
- Resolving conflict and managing patient and family expectations
We currently support:
We also:
- Deploy with our Armed Forces
- Provide a Major Incident Response service during national and regional crisis.
