The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is a charity that provides welfare support to members of the UK Armed Forces and their families. It was established in 1943 as the Service Hospitals Welfare Department and provides support to patients and families in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and recovery facilities across the UK, Germany and Cyprus. DMWS welfare officers also deploy to operational areas like Afghanistan to provide 24/7 support.

1. Jackie Barber
Welfare Officer
MDHU Portsmouth
Defence Medical Welfare Service

2. Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
DMWS is a Registered Charity providing a Welfare Service to the Armed
Forces Community on behalf of the MOD
Formed from the Joint War Organisation of the British Red Cross and Order
of St John in 1943, we were originally known as the Service Hospitals Welfare
Department (SHWD)
We became an independent charity in 2001 and changed our name to the
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
Our Welfare Officers provide 24/7 support in operational and non-
operational areas
From frontline to recovery we are the only military charity that is present
throughout the care pathway and that deploys to areas of conflict
About DMWS

3. Where we work
You will find us in Hospitals, Rehabilitation and Recovery Centres
across the UK, Germany and Cyprus supporting over 13,500
patients & families every year
Frontline: Role 3 Hospital, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
Hospital: NHS hospitals and overseas hospitals in Germany &
Cyprus
Rehabilitation: DMRC Headley Court
Recovery: Tedworth House, Battleback Centre and Personnel
Recovery Centre Sennelager
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since
1943

4. Examples include:
 Hospital Ward Rounds
 Liaison with medical & unit welfare
staff
 Support in the event of death or
bereavement
 Supporting the terminally ill
 Support with coming to terms with
serious injury or illness
 Accompanying families to critical
care units
 Organising transport &
accommodation
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943
What we do
Providing practical and emotional support, information and advice for
patients and their families when they are in hospital, rehabilitation or
recovery centres. Also providing support to staff and patients at the Role 3
Field Hospital in Afghanistan regardless of nationality.

5. Supporting younger years children
 Welfare Officers understand
the effect having an injured
or sick parent can have on
younger children
 Hospitals can be a scary
place to be when you're a
young child
 DMWS tries to minimise
children’s anxiety during
difficult times
 Can also signpost to other
agencies or services
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943

6. My Hero’s Helper Activity Book
 Having a parent that’s in
hospital can be an unsettling
time for young children
 DMWS staff came up with
the idea of the Activity book
from supporting families at
RCDM Birmingham
 Support from Help for
Heroes turned it into a
reality
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943

7. New projects
 Children's Activity Packs -
keeping young children
occupied when visiting
parents in hospital or are a
patients themselves
 New Mum & Baby Packs -
practical information and
advice
 Patient Welcome Packs –
information on services and
other organisations
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943

8. Any Questions ?
Hospital | Rehabilitation | Recovery
The Military Community's Medical Welfare Service since 1943

9. Defence Medical Welfare Service
Jackie Barber
Welfare Officer
MDHU Portsmouth
Tel: 02392 286000 Ext1327
Mobile: 07770 795349
Email: jbarber@dmws.org.uk
Website: www.dmws.org.uk
DMWS Registered Charity No. 1087210

10. Defence Medical Welfare Service
Jackie Barber
Welfare Officer
MDHU Portsmouth
Tel: 02392 286000 Ext1327
Mobile: 07770 795349
Email: jbarber@dmws.org.uk
Website: www.dmws.org.uk
DMWS Registered Charity No. 1087210