History

History and Overview

DMRC HEADLEY COURT

The Defence Military Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) was originally located at Headley Court, an Elizabethan farmhouse bought by the Cunliffe family of Tyrrell’s Wood, Leatherhead.

They later sold this farmhouse and had architect Edward Warren build in 1899 an imposing mansion at the centre of Headley Court to the north, namely under Lord Cunliffe, who was Chairman of the Bank of England. During World War II, Headley Court was used as the headquarters of the VII Corps and then for the Canadian Corps. During the war, nearby Headley Heath was also used as a training ground for engineers building airstrips and trench systems then demolishing them again.

The site was purchased after World War II with money from the Royal Air Force Pilots and Crews Fund; a public collection as a tribute to the deeds. including the Battle of Britain efforts of the RAF Since the war, it has been used as a Royal Air Force and Joint Military Services medical rehabilitation centre, which aims to return all those service personnel injured or seriously ill to full fitness.

In July 2014, the Minister of Defence at the time, Philip Hammond, announced that the services provided by Headley Court would be transferred to a new centre to be developed at Stanford Hall. Loughborough The opening of the new Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre by the Duke of Cambridge took place in June 2018. The centre at Headley Court ceased operations in September 2018.

DMRC STANFORD HALL

The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre is situated on the Stanford Hall Estate.

DMRC Stanford Hall is run by the Ministry of Defence. It forms part of Defence Medical Services and its patients are serving members of the Armed Forces.

The DMRC is run by a Commanding Officer and its professional staff comprises both members of the Armed Forces alongside civilians employed by the MoD replicating the model that worked so well for over 70 years at Headley Court.

DMRC Stanford Hall is an entirely bespoke facility with enhanced rehabilitation facilities in many areas. It combines the latest technology with proven therapy, providing buildings and spaces specially designed to aid the recovery process and deliver the specific functions of rehabilitation medicine.

DMRC Stanford Hall contains gyms, a range of swimming and hydrotherapy pools, a gait lab and all the elements essential for its clinical purpose. That purpose includes rehabilitation of the most seriously injured members of the Armed Forces and also, importantly, returning those who have been injured in the course of service back to duty or supporting transition into civilian life.

The design of the building and the architecture have been carefully thought through to match very precisely to the clinical needs of patients and best rehabilitation practice. The facility includes carefully crafted courtyards which serve a clinical purpose as well as being pleasing in their own right, areas for social integration and places for relaxation.

How we do it

Fundraising

Passionate
volunteers

Wide range
of events

We engage and motivate
our patients