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October 2022 |
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Our cancer centre continues to provide some of the quickest care in the country
Cancer patients at the Trust are receiving some of the fastest access to treatment in England as the Trust hits the national standard for treating patients within 62 days for 36 months in a row – one of just a handful of trusts to reach the target every month over the last three years.
This means at least 85% of all patients at the Kent Oncology Centre started treatment within 62 days of referral from their GP.
Miles Scott, MTW Chief Executive said: “Hitting our targets means we are seeing and treating our patients more quickly, ensuring people who have been diagnosed with cancer are given he care and treatment they need quickly.
“This achievement involves so many teams across our Trust and I want to thank and congratulate them all for making this happen. Together they have introduced a range of patient-centred improvements that have enabled us to change the way we deliver care and treatment.”
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Celebrating the gift of life – memorial garden opens at Maidstone Hospital
This Organ Donation Week (26 September to 2 October), a new Organ and Tissue Donation Memorial garden opened at Maidstone Hospital. The quiet green space celebrates the generosity of those who have donated their organs and tissues and is a place to remember those who have been sadly lost.
The centrepiece of the courtyard garden is a pergola and planters filled with seasonal flowers are located around the boundary of the garden with bespoke wooden hearts, dedicated in memory of loved ones who have donated organs. Benches offer a place for contemplation and reflection for families, visitors and staff alike.
Miles Scott, Chief Executive, said: “It was an honour to be asked to officially open the memorial garden at Maidstone Hospital alongside our incredible clinical teams, and also have the opportunity to speak with families of those who have selflessly donated organs."
“Being an organ and tissue donor is a generous decision that can save or greatly enhance the lives of other people, but this relies on donors and their families agreeing to donate their organ or tissue. Knowing what your relative wanted helps families support their decision around organ donation at what is often a difficult time."
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It’s always cause for celebration when the outstanding care delivered by our teams is recognised with an award, but that recognition is even more special when it comes directly from our patients!
One of our youngest patients, Henry, helped his dad make awards for the Ophthalmology and Riverbank Ward teams who cared for him as he was “extremely grateful for everything they had done for him”.
Henry visited the Rapid Access Unit, which is run at Maidstone Hospital for the assessment and treatment of urgent and sight-threatening eye conditions. He has a number of sensory issues that needed careful consideration during his care; he needed an examination and was thrilled with his outstanding care.
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On the front line: Emergency Department receptionist retires after 35 years’ service
We recently said a fond farewell to Lesley Ward, Emergency Department (ED) receptionist at Maidstone, who retired after 35 years’ service.
Lesley began her journey at the Trust in 1987 and was an integral member of the reception and fracture clinic team in ED for many years. Lesley had planned to retire over a year ago, but delayed her retirement to support the ED team throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lesley added: “35 years! What can I say! It has been the people I have worked with over the years that has made my time at the Trust so enjoyable."
“I have met and made friends for life. As a team we have faced challenging and good times together. I’ve always said, find a job you love and you’ll never feel like you’re at work!”
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Our patient pledge
 Coming into hospital can be an anxious time for our patients, their families and carers. As a Trust, our mission is to put our patients first and to support our staff to feel proud and fulfilled in delivering the best care for our community.
There are things that we can all do for ourselves and to help one another to ensure our hospitals work effectively during these challenging times. Our teams are committed to providing the best possible patient journey and our Patient Pledge describes what can be expected from us at MTW and what our staff ask from you, our patients.
Speaking about the Pledge, Chief Nurse, Jo Haworth, said: “Launching our Patient Pledge has been a chance to reflect on the many ways in which we already work in partnership with our patients and their families to deliver outstanding care”.
“We know there is more we can do, together, to improve outcomes for our patients. The Patient Pledge is an important way we can all support each other to get the best possible outcomes for our patients and help get you home as early as possible.”
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Setting the standard for healthcare excellence
The COVID-19 pandemic presented huge challenges for the Endoscopy team at MTW but also provided an important opportunity to improve our services. By thinking differently, adapting to a changing environment and using cutting edge technology, our Endoscopy team has transformed the way it cares for its patients.
This success has been recognised in this year’s prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards, which attracted over a thousand entries from across the country. The Trust has been shortlisted in the new category of Performance Recovery Award.
In August 2020 the Trust had nearly 3000 patients waiting for an endoscopy procedure. This has been reduced to zero, which is an incredible achievement against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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We’re all used to seeing doctors, nurses, midwives and health care support workers on wards but if you come into one of our hospitals you might also meet one of our Physician Associates. There are currently ten of these healthcare professionals at MTW, working in departments from A&E to Orthopaedics.
It’s a relatively new role in the UK, although it was first introduced in the US in the 1960s. Last week was Physician Associate Week and a chance to highlight the work they do across the Trust to help us deliver outstanding patient care.
Physician Associates are medically trained healthcare professionals who work alongside our doctors, supporting in the diagnosis and management of patients and helping to ensure continuity of care.
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