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1000th patient receives specialist cancer treatment
 Meet David – the 1000th patient to undergo specialist treatment for prostate cancer at the Kent Oncology Centre at Maidstone Hospital.
The 77 year old was recently given LDR (Low Dose Rate) prostate brachytherapy, a treatment for localised prostate cancer which involves implanting tiny radioactive ‘seeds’ in the prostate using ultrasound guidance.
MTW is one of a limited number of hospitals in the UK offering treatment with the specialist technique, which has been a successful treatment for prostate cancer for over three decades. LDR prostate brachytherapy means patients receive very targeted treatment with fewer side effects. It takes just 45-60 minutes to carry out the surgery and patients can go home the same day.
David, from Tankerton, Kent, said: “Everything went as smooth as silk – a few days after the treatment I was back down my allotment and less than two weeks after the procedure it was like nothing had happened and I was totally back to normal.”
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Thousand-year old secrets unearthed at Maidstone Hospital
 An ancient mummified Egyptian head has been examined using a computed tomography (CT) scanner at Maidstone Hospital revealing the hidden history inside.
Initial x-rays undertaken at Canterbury Christ Church University suggested an adult female, however a more detailed CT scan was organised to learn more about the individual. Preliminary results from the scan show the brain has been removed, the teeth are well worn down and the tongue is remarkably well preserved.
The scan was led by James Elliott, Senior Radiographer at MTW and also Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography at Canterbury Christ Church University. He said: “The scan provides a huge amount of information – everything from dental status, pathologies, method of preservation, as well as helping our estimations of age and sex. We now plan to use the scanning data to create a three-dimensional replica of the head and possible facial reconstruction to allow a more intensive study of it.” James explained how mummification was ‘common practice’ within ancient Egypt but with the advancement of CT technology, more detail can be researched on ancient Egyptian traditions.
Ritchie Chalmers, Chief of Service for Core Clinical Services, said: “It’s very exciting that MTW is involved with this project. It’s great to see how modern technology can help bring ancient history to life.”
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New garden provides respite for ICU patients
Intensive care staff are using the joy of being outdoors to help critically ill patients recover, as a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) garden, offering patients and their families a safe, tranquil place to spend precious time together opens at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
Expert teams across MTW deliver the most complex care available to around 1,000 critically ill patients every year, and the garden will help support the mental and physical wellbeing of ICU patients during what can be a very stressful and difficult time.
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MTW becomes endoscopy training hub for Kent and Medway
 We’re delighted that MTW has been chosen as the endoscopy training hub for Kent and Medway, part of the South East Academy. We’ve also been awarded JAG accreditation status which means we are now one of the national centres commissioned to improve endoscopy training in England.
As part of the service expansion, a state-of-the-art virtual reality simulator has been installed at Maidstone Hospital to help trainee clinical endoscopists in an immersive virtual environment.
Dr Adrian Barnardo, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Clinical Lead for Endoscopy, Clinical Lead for Kent and Medway Endoscopy Training Hub and Chair of Endoscopy Workforce Group for Kent and Medway said: “I am delighted that MTW has been chosen as the endoscopy training hub for Kent and Medway which is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of the staff. This will allow us to increase the number of clinical endoscopists working across the whole of Kent and Medway and across the entire Integrated Care System, reducing waiting times and improving care for patients.”
MTW has a team of 54 staff working across both hospital sites, providing endoscopy services for patients seven days a week and carrying out on average 1,300 procedures every month.
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International stroke research trial underway at Maidstone Hospital
MTW has joined an international stroke rehabilitation trial involving 50 hospitals which aims to identify the best way to reduce any disabilities after a stroke.
The trial involves four different exercise and rehabilitation therapies which will be delivered by our physiotherapists and nurses to patients in our hospitals within the first few days following a stroke.
The research is lead by Professor Julie Bernhardt from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health with support from an international rehabilitation collaboration.
“We know that exercise and rehabilitation interventions post-stroke can make a big difference to a person’s outcome. This trial will help us to determine the most effective and safe regimen in the early stages after a stroke. We’re so pleased to have MTW as a partner in this project, which we expect will inform protocols for rehabilitation for stroke internationally.” said Professor Bernhardt.
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Nurse training celebrated at national awards
 The Pre-Registration/Professional Standards Team at MTW were recently recognised by the Student Nursing Times Awards as one of the finalists in the ‘Teaching Innovation of the Year’ category. These prestigious awards recognise students and nurse educators who go above and beyond in the healthcare world.
Catarina Dantas, Practice Placement Facilitator - Virtual Learning and Placements, said: “Being shortlisted in these awards has been fantastic recognition of the backstage work being done to ensure quality placement opportunities at MTW for our nurses of the future. The feedback from our students has been fantastic and inspiring and the attendance numbers speak for themselves.”
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