Trust welcomes the Chancellor of the Exchequer

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, visited Maidstone Hospital on 10 December, where she was joined by Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones MP.

Describing MTW as 'one of the top performing trusts in the country', Ms Reeves met staff and patients in the Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre. The new theatre complex has three state-of-the-art operating theatres and is increasing surgical capacity for patients across Kent and Medway. Delivering up to 2,000 more operations each year, the Centre is helping patients who need planned surgery on bones, joints and muscles.

Ms Reeves and Mr Jones also visited the Care Coordination Centre, which uses real time data to constantly monitor the Trust’s 700 beds and improve the movement of patients through our hospitals. Mr Jones said: "It was a privilege for the Chancellor and I to visit Maidstone Hospital and meet its inspiring NHS staff whose data system is significantly reducing waiting times and moving A&E patients into beds quicker." 

During the visit, Ms Reeves took part in a question and answer session with staff from across the Trust, discussing how the experiences of front line teams would inform the Government’s Spending Review, and what the review means for public sector services.

Help us to help you this winter

With winter upon us and temperatures dropping, it’s important you look after your health. There are steps you can take to stay well and receive the right care in the right place at the right time:

How can you get ready for winter?

• Get your COVID-19 booster/flu jab if you're eligible.
• Keep warm.

Where else can you go instead of A&E?

• See a local pharmacist.
• Use NHS 111.
• Speak to your GP.
• Visit an urgent treatment centre.

How can you support your relative to get home from hospital quickly and safely?

• Encourage them to take part in treatment and therapy that can help their recovery.
• Plan for their return home.

This will help our emergency departments prioritise patients who need urgent care and will also ensure you are seen more quickly. 

In the footsteps of stroke rehabilitation

Each year in the UK, more than 100,000 people will have a stroke – that’s one person every five minutes.

When someone has a stroke, part of the blood supply to the brain is cut off, which kills brain cells. Any damage to the brain can affect how the body works, and it can also change how someone thinks and feels.

Though a stroke affects people in different ways, rehabilitation is a vital part of every stroke survivor’s journey, starting from a patient’s arrival to hospital and continuing in the community then at home. 

With NHS England re-launching their ‘Act FAST’ campaign to raise awareness of Stroke, we have taken a look at a patient’s road to recovery through rehabilitation. From their arrival on the Stroke Unit at Maidstone Hospital to returning home, follow the amazing work of our stroke therapists as they help patients achieve the best recovery possible and re-learn skills for everyday life.

Prostate cancer nurse recognised with national award

Metastatic Prostate Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jeanette Smith has received Prostate Cancer UK’s ‘People’s Choice’ award for the support she provides to patients going through prostate cancer treatment. Jeanette, who works in the Kent Oncology Centre at Maidstone Hospital, formed a support group in 2020 which over 100 of her patients and their families regularly attend. She was nominated for the award by a number of her patients and their families, who described her as ‘enthusiastic, compassionate and selfless’. One nomination said Jeanette 'is always at the end of a phone whether it be answering questions, sorting out appointments or just being there'. After being selected as Prostate Cancer UK’s winner, Jeanette collected her award at a special ceremony in her home city of Liverpool, where she was also presented with a £1,000 bursary to help support patient projects in the future.

Supporting quicker patient care

Celebrating decades of dedication

The outstanding contributions of almost 800 members of staff have recently been recognised in the Trust’s long service award ceremonies.

Colleagues who passed their 10, 20, 30, 40 and even 50-year milestones of working for the NHS were invited to ‘MTW Milestones’ ceremonies, where they were presented with long service awards and thanked for their commitment. Award winners included Diane Kidman, Cardiac Nurse Specialist, and Rachel Field, Sister, who have each spent an incredible 50 years working for the NHS.

So far, a staggering 12,370 years of service have been recognised at the awards, which provide an opportunity for the Trust to celebrate our longest serving colleagues and thank them for their commitment to our health service.

Patient portal puts you in control

Hannah Browning is one of the 135,000 patients who have signed up to our patient portal, meaning she can manage her health information and appointments online. Why did you sign up to the portal? I find it so much easier to do things electronically and if I could help the NHS save the cost of a stamp, even better! The portal is so easy to use. You can log in when you want and find what you need, instead of searching through emails and trying to figure out when they were sent and who they were from. How has it helped you? It is about speed of communication. You don’t have to wait for the letter to arrive in the post, and everything is done as efficiently as possible. Then I have that letter in the portal to refer to if I need it, rather than having to remember to keep it somewhere safe. Why would you recommend the portal to others? It is really comforting to know that if I ever need to change an appointment because of a change with work or something at home, I don’t have to set time aside to call, I can just do this on the portal.

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