As NHS Lanarkshire marks Armed Forces Day on 27 June, it is an opportunity to recognise the contribution, commitment and sacrifice of serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families.
While the day provides a chance to reflect and give thanks, it also highlights the importance of ensuring practical support is available throughout the year for those who have served.
One example is NHS Lanarkshire’s long-standing partnership with the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), which helps veterans, serving personnel and their families access tailored support alongside their healthcare. Through this partnership, NHS Lanarkshire is helping ensure members of the Armed Forces community receive the care, understanding and practical assistance they may need during challenging times.
Supporting veterans through partnership and practical care
NHS Lanarkshire is continuing to strengthen support for veterans, serving personnel and Armed Forces families through its long-standing partnership with the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS).
The partnership helps ensure members of the Armed Forces community receive practical, person-centred support alongside their clinical care, helping improve wellbeing, support recovery and reduce isolation.
DMWS is a military charity which has worked closely with NHS Lanarkshire for almost a decade. The service specialises in supporting veterans, reservists, serving personnel and family members who may be facing non-clinical challenges impacting their health, recovery or discharge from hospital.
Two full-time DMWS Welfare Officers are based within NHS Lanarkshire’s acute hospital sites at University Hospital Wishaw and University Hospital Hairmyres, while also supporting patients across community and primary care settings, including through home visits where required.
Claire Ritchie, NHS Lanarkshire’s Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, said:
“NHS Lanarkshire is fully committed to honouring the promise we have made through the Armed Forces Covenant and ensuring veterans and Armed Forces families receive the support, dignity and recognition they deserve.
“For many veterans, challenges linked to housing, finances, social isolation or wellbeing can significantly affect recovery and independence. Our partnership with DMWS helps us provide practical, compassionate support that sits alongside clinical care and can make a very real difference to people’s lives.
“We would encourage staff to continue asking patients whether they have served in the Armed Forces and ensure this is accurately recorded on TrakCare, as this helps us better identify people who may benefit from additional support.”
The DMWS team works closely with NHS staff and a wide network of third-sector organisations to help patients access wider support services, helping facilitate smoother transitions from hospital to home and supporting independent living wherever possible.
Margaret Partridge, Veterans Project Manager, said: “There is a huge amount of support available for the Armed Forces community, but navigating that support can sometimes feel overwhelming for patients and families.
“Working together with NHS Lanarkshire allows us to connect people quickly with practical help tailored to their circumstances, whether that involves housing support, financial advice, social support or helping reduce isolation during recovery.”
Staff are encouraged to ask patients whether they are currently serving or have previously served in the UK Armed Forces, as this can help identify individuals who may benefit from the service.
Referrals to DMWS are simple and can be made with patient consent by:
• Calling 0800 999 3697
• Emailing referrals@dmws.org.uk
• When making contact, staff should provide:
• Patient name and contact details
• Current location/ward if applicable
• Confirmation that consent has been obtained
• Service background if known
• Next of kin details if known
• Further information on support available for veterans and Armed Forces families can be found via the Defence Medical Welfare Service.
