|
Reducing physiotherapy waiting times
 Maidstone Hospital’s Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy team recently held its first community appointment day to improve waiting times and provide patients with timely and personalised community-based care.
Community appointment days involve inviting patients to a local venue away from the hospital setting where they can speak to a range of specialists under one roof. The initiative helps to reduce waiting times and ensures patients receive care as quickly as possible.
The team’s first event took place at Hermitage Park Community Centre in Maidstone, and gave patients the opportunity to discuss their concerns with a physiotherapist, get advice on treatment and set goals for their recovery.
Representatives from other teams were also there, including Maidstone Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Mid Kent MIND and Diabetes UK, allowing patients to access a range of services all in one place.
|
|
By royal invitation
Ninety-six-year-old Lucia Cascioli, who works as a domestic assistant at the Trust, was recently invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her almost 60 years of service to the NHS.
The event welcomed guests from around the country to thank them for their public service, and gave attendees the opportunity to meet members of the Royal Family, explore the Palace grounds, and enjoy afternoon tea.
Lucia (pictured left), who is originally from Italy, began working at St Augustine’s Hospital in Chartham when she first came to England. She moved to Nunnery Fields Hospital and by 1989 was working at Oakwood Hospital.
When Oakwood closed in 1994, Lucia was transferred to the newly opened Maidstone Hospital and has worked at the Trust ever since as a domestic assistant.
Speaking previously about her long career in the NHS, Lucia said: “I’ve been a cleaner all my life, and I like the job I do. I want to carry on with it as long as I can, if they’ll let me!”
Lucia is no stranger to the Royal Family – when presented with a Long Service Award from the Trust in 2023 by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Kent, The Lady Colgrain, she also received a message of congratulations from HM The King.
|
|
|
Improving care for our audiology patients |
|
 A ‘super Saturday’ clinic was recently held by our Audiology team, which saw 79 people fitted for hearing aids in just one day.
Feedback received from the day was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how thorough the team were with their explanations, and how helpful it was to meet others with hearing loss.
The team will now be dedicating two days a month to these clinics, helping patients get the hearing care they need.
|
|
Senior Sister goes the distance
 Last year, we shared the news that Liz Solaru, Senior Sister in the Outpatients department at Maidstone Hospital, was taking on the incredible challenge of running six half marathons for the MTW Hospitals Charity.
A year later, Liz has not only completed her challenge, she even won a podium place along the way!
Since completing her first half marathon in Deal last March, the challenge has taken Liz around the country and across the sea, with her remaining five half marathons in Marden, Margate, Kilkee in Ireland, and Murcia and Guardamar, both in Spain.
Despite overcoming obstacles along the way, including a foot injury which forced her to postpone three runs, Liz ended the challenge on a high as she achieved second place in her age category in her final half marathon, with a personal best of one hour and 56 minutes.
|
|
Remembering the evacuation of Dunkirk |
|
 As the country commemorated the 85th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation in last month, the Trust marked 85 years since the first wounded soldiers arrived at Pembury Hospital on 28 May.
Emily McManus (pictured left), Kent Sector Matron, went to Folkestone Harbour and described the scenes; young men burnt from burning oil on the sea, and hundreds of casualties moved to trains to begin their journey to hospitals across the county.
Following their evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, the patients arrived at Pembury Hospital still wet from sea water and exhausted from their ordeal. Over the next fortnight, the hospital treated soldiers, sailors and airmen from the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India and Poland.
Nearly 40 soldiers a day were operated on in the first three days of June. Many had gunshot wounds or injuries from shrapnel, as the theatre register reveals.
The last patient arrived on 6 June and by the end of the evacuation, the hospital had cared for 300 soldiers from Dunkirk.
In a take on Churchill's famous speech, Medical Superintendent, Dr Grasby described it in his report to the Ministry of Health as “Pembury Hospital's finest hour.”
|
|
A world first for sustainability
 The Trust's Ophthalmology department has become the first in the world to start using reusable hemp hats, reducing waste and saving valuable NHS resources.
On average, a full-time member of staff in theatres uses 464 disposable hats per year, with some needing seven or more in a day depending on the surgery being performed.
Used hats are incinerated, along with spare hats which are often discarded unused at the end of the day. This adds to costs and creates significant carbon emissions, highlighting the environmental impact of single-use hats and the need for greener alternatives.
Reusable surgical hats can be washed and reused, reducing waste and environmental impact, while maintaining strict infection control standards. Unlike cotton, hemp needs minimal water and is carbon-negative, meaning it absorbs more carbon than it creates.
By switching to reusable hemp surgical hats, the Ophthalmology teams are helping to reduce the Trust's carbon footprint and making progress towards a greener healthcare system.
|
|
It's Pride Month!
This month and every month, we stand with our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, patients and communities.
From hospital wards to community clinics, we're committed to an NHS where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to be themselves – whether delivering care or receiving it.
Throughout Pride Month, we’ll be championing visibility by attending local pride events, including Pride Canterbury and Maidstone Pride.
|
|
|
|
|
|
