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#Patientfirst
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November 2024
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First robotic surgery at Maidstone Hospital
 Robot-assisted surgery was recently performed for the first time at the Trust, with many more patients set to benefit from the latest technology.
The surgical team performed two gynaecology procedures using the innovative da Vinci Xi robot-assisted surgery system, which gives surgeons a highly magnified 3D view of the surgical area. The surgeon controls the system from a console which mimics their hand movements to manipulate instruments during the operation. This lets them perform complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control, through a few small incisions.
Robot-assisted surgery has many benefits for patients, including being less invasive and less painful after the operation, meaning recovery time can be faster.
This is the first of two robots at the Trust and will be used for gynaecological cancer, general surgery and urology procedures at Maidstone Hospital. The second robot is due to arrive in the spring at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
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Epic climb funds vital equipment for cancer patients
 A group of seven women have donated a vital piece of equipment to the Cellular Pathology department at Maidstone Hospital.
Former member of Parliament, Dame Tracey Crouch, was part of the team that climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year to raise funds for the Kent Oncology Centre via the charity Breast Cancer Kent. MTW Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon, Deepika Akolekar, was also a member of the fundraising group, who raised a total of £153,000 from the challenge.
Around £90,000 of this was used to purchase a Faxitron machine, which studies specimens taken during surgery to remove cancerous tumours. Before this, practitioners would need to process multiple samples in order to inform ongoing treatment – the Faxitron now lets them obtain much more targeted samples, saving vital time and meaning treatment for a patient can be decided and started faster.
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Maternity support workers recognised in national awards |
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Two MTW maternity support workers (MSWs) have been presented with NHS England Chief Midwifery Officer’s Awards for their vital contribution and exceptional support of nursing and midwifery practice.
Jenny Riley and Beverley Hynes were presented with the awards by NHS England’s Regional Deputy Chief Midwife, Angie Velinor. The awards are given every year to a small number of MSWs in recognition of their compassion, dedication and demonstration of NHS values.
Jenny received an award in the ‘improving lives’ category and was praised for her integral role in setting up Maidstone Birth Centre’s Newborn Café, which offers breastfeeding support to new parents. Beverly received an award in the ‘working together with patients’ category for her support of the birthing person and their family.
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Taking fundraising to new heights
 Over 100 MTW staff, volunteers and members of the local community recently abseiled down the side of Tunbridge Wells Hospital in aid of MTW Hospitals Charity.
Those taking part in the challenge included volunteer Kate Hart Dyke, who was cared for by the Trust’s Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy teams following a life changing brain haemorrhage, along with staff from departments including Oncology, Pharmacy, Ophthalmology, Theatres and Orthopaedics.
The event, which was originally due to take place in June but was rescheduled due to poor weather, has so far raised over £40,000 (including Gift Aid) for the charity, with donations still being welcomed.
MTW Hospitals Charity supports the Trust by funding additional equipment, services and amenities for patients, visitors and staff.
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Community of nurses enjoy anniversary celebrations |
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 In 1999, a group of young nurses arrived in the UK from the Philippines, ready to begin their careers. The same group of nurses recently gathered to celebrate 25 years since their arrival!
The event saw members of the Filipino nursing community coming together to celebrate the memories, culture and friendships that connect them, and reflecting on their experiences of nursing at MTW.
Since their arrival 25 years ago, the nurses have integrated into the local community and built lives in the UK. Though some have moved on to other trusts and countries, they describe feeling bonded by their experiences of emigrating to the UK and building their careers together.
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Supporting patients and a greener future
 Our patient portal recently celebrated its first birthday! Over 130,000 patients have now registered for the portal, called Patients Know Best (PKB), which gives them quick and easy access to their health information.
Features include viewing appointment details, appointment letters, clinical correspondence, discharge notifications and additional health information online. Patients are also easily able to request to cancel or reschedule an appointment, which saves them time and avoids a call to hospital administrative teams.
The portal also benefits the planet thanks to its green credentials – in the last year alone, more than 100,000 have been viewed on the portal, meaning less printing and post, saving more than 36 40ft trees.
In celebration of the portal’s first anniversary, MTW Chief Executive Miles Scott and PKB Chief Executive Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli took part in a tree-planting ceremony, to highlight its environmental benefits.
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Help to shape the NHS
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The NHS has been supporting the health of everyone for over 76 years. But to make sure it is here for the next 76 years, the Government needs your help.
They are calling on the country to share your experiences of our health service, and to give your opinion on the NHS’ future.
Your views and ideas are important, and will help to shape the Government’s 10-Year-Plan for Health for England.
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