Proudly supporting our Armed Forces since 1943
The need for our person centred service is as great as it was in 1943. Our welfare officers continue to promote morale and support troops from the frontline right through to recovery.
DMWS has a rich and distinguished history. The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service, to give us our full title, has been supporting the Armed Forces during times of crisis since World War 1 with welfare officers serving our military personnel in Field Hospitals.
We support serving personnel and reservists of all 3 services, their dependent relatives and other entitled civilians when they need help during times of ill health. Our independent and confidential service provides a vital additional layer of welfare support to those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the nation.
At Home: Ashore | In Barracks | On Base
When service personnel or their families have been injured or diagnosed with illness, DMWS delivers an independent and confidential 24/7 welfare support service in hospitals across the UK and Cyprus.
On Deployment
Our welfare officers deploy alongside troops to provide essential additional support to those servicemen and women who have been injured or fallen ill on deployment. We also provide emotional and practical support to the family members of the patients.
Due to advancements in medical treatment many more service personnel are surviving serious injury or illness. They need our support now and for years to come. We are proud to be working closely with partners such as the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes to support them to adjust to life after trauma in recovery centres in the UK and Germany.