The Dreadnought Medical Service

The Dreadnought Medical Service - often called simply “the Dreadnought” - is a facility offering priority medical treatment to eligible seafarers through the medical services at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. Its principal aim is to enable serving seafarers to return to work as soon as possible by providing treatment in a shorter timescale than may normally be offered at a seafarer’s local NHS hospital (although this cannot always be guaranteed). This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Dreadnought.

Who is eligible for treatment at the Dreadnought?

The following are eligible for elective priority treatment at the Dreadnought:

The following (but not their dependants) are also eligible to be considered for elective treatment:

Is the Dreadnought a separate department?

No. At one time the Dreadnought included dedicated wards. Nowadays Dreadnought patients are treated according to clinical need, and are assigned to the in-patient or out-patient area most suitable for their medical condition. However, there is a designated administrative office, dealing exclusively with Dreadnought patients, headed by the Dreadnought Administrator.

How do I get treatment at the Dreadnought?

You will need a completed referral form and a referral letter from your GP or other approved/company doctor, both of which should be sent to the Dreadnought Administrator (see ‘Contacts’ below). Standard referral forms are available from the Dreadnought Administrator. Click here for the form

Are all forms of treatment available?

A wide range of medical and surgical services is provided. However, while cardiac surgery, in particular by-pass surgery, is among the services available, priority access cannot be guaranteed because of the high demand on intensive care beds.

Can I have dental treatment at the Dreadnought?

Active seafarers may have dental treatment via the Dreadnought. Further information may be obtained from the Dreadnought Dentist (tel: 020 7188 2047) between 10:30am - 12 noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

I’m an active seafarer and my child needs treatment

If you are an active seafarer with a child below the age of 18 whose illness causes you grave concern, you are entitled to seek treatment for him, or her, at the Dreadnought.

I’m a retired seafarer - can I still use the Dreadnought?

Seafarers who have retired after spending their working lives at sea, and who have not taken up subsequent employment, are eligible to be considered for treatment at the Dreadnought, although not normally on a priority basis. The dependants of retired seafarers are not entitled to use the Dreadnought.

I live some distance away, and can’t afford the fares

If you are on a low income, patient transport services (tel: 020 7188 2888) at Guy’s & St Thomas’ can advise whether you are eligible for help from the Department of Work and Pensions with the cost of fares to and from your home. If you are not eligible for help from this source, but can prove financial need, the Seamen’s Hospital Society (tel: 020 8858 3696) may be able help with the payment of fares.

I can’t manage to travel by public transport - what should I do?

In some instances you may be eligible for ambulance or other special transport, even outside London. Patient transport services (tel: 020 7188 2888) at Guy’s & St Thomas’ can advise you on this.

I need overnight accommodation before or after my appointment

Accommodation can be booked at the hospital or, near St Thomas’, at the Marine Society. Please contact the Dreadnought Administrator for further information and advice.

I will need a period of convalescence after my treatment

Seafarers who require a period of convalescence following their treatment may be eligible to use the facility provided at the Merchant Seamen’s War Memorial Society’s Springbok Estate in Surrey, and should contact the Dreadnought Administrator before discharge from hospital. Please note that no personal or nursing care is provided at Springbok.

I’m not satisfied with the treatment I received at the Dreadnought

You should write to the Dreadnought Administrator who will take up the matter within Guy’s and St Thomas’.

I’m eligible to use the Dreadnought - does this mean I can cancel my private medical insurance?

No. It is important to note that eligibility to use the Dreadnought is not the same thing as having private medical insurance, which may cover different aspects of healthcare, and offer different forms of service, when compared with what is provided by the NHS scheme.

Who pays for the Dreadnought?

Central government pays the cost of running the Dreadnought, and all medical treatment for seafarers eligible to use it, in the form of specially earmarked NHS funding.

I thought the shipping companies contributed to the cost of the Dreadnought?

Shipping companies and other agencies have been generous with donations to the Dreadnought; such donations are held in a welfare fund and used to enhance, in various targeted ways, the core treatment and facilities funded from NHS sources.

I’d like to make a donation or raise funds for the Dreadnought

If you would like to make a donation, or raise funds, for the benefit of the Dreadnought please contact the Dreadnought Administrator (see ‘Contacts’ below).

Contacts

Dreadnought Medical Service
Dreadnought Administrator
Dreadnought Medical Service
St Thomas’ Hospital
Lambeth Palace Road
London SE1 7EH
Telephone: 020 7188 2049
Fax: 020 7188 2051
Email: dreadnought2@gstt.nhs.uk

Dreadnought Dentist
Telephone: 020 7188 2047

Patient Transport Services
(Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust)
Telephone: 020 7188 2888

Seamen’s Hospital Society
General Secretary
29 King William Walk
Greenwich
London
SE10 9HX
Telephone: 020 8858 3696
Fax: 020 8293 9630
Click here to email
Website: www.seahospital.org.uk

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