The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is excited to announce the official launch of a Police Medical Welfare Support Service, available to Police Officers, staff or family members of Hampshire Constabulary. The service is independent and complements the welfare support currently offered by the Police Federation and others. It aims to improve recovery time, wellbeing and resilience across the Force.
Nicky Murdoch, CEO of DMWS, Olivia Pinkney, the Chief Constable for Hampshire Constabulary and John Apter, Hampshire Police Federation Chairman (left to right)
The official launch was held on Wednesday morning at the Hampshire Fire and Police Headquarters in Eastleigh with Olivia Pinkney, the Chief Constable for Hampshire Constabulary, John Apter, Hampshire Police Federation Chairman, and Nicky Murdoch, CEO of DMWS plus other key personnel. Hampshire is the first county to receive the support but plans are already in place to roll out the service in the Avon and Somerset area, too.
Some pre-publicity for the Police Medical Welfare Support Service had created a number of requests for the service even before the official launch, and DMWS Welfare Officers have already supported several cases over the last few months. The feedback from those being supported has been extremely positive, with comments such as, “DMWS Welfare Officers visited me very early on in my recovery, and remained a constant source of support throughout”, and “I found the support given by DMWS invaluable and think their service is long overdue in a policing environment”.
