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#Patientfirst
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October 2025
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Supporting the next generation of doctors in Kent
 A new facility that supports the expansion of medical education in Kent has opened at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
The Undergraduate Medical Building enables the Trust to host up to 173 medical students and trainee doctors each year.
MTW provides clinical placements for medical students studying at the Kent and Medway Medical School, King’s College London and City St George’s University of London. The new facility means these students can now live close to their placement at the hospital, giving them direct access to medical and surgical services to complete their studies.
The six-storey building, which achieved a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method ‘Excellent’ rating, will help the Trust to attract, train and retain future generations of doctors to the region.
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Access your radiology results on the patient portal
 Our patient portal has been updated and now provides online access to radiology results, including x-rays, CT scans and MRIs.
Over 200,000 patients already use the portal, which is a secure, free and easy-to-use tool that keeps you informed about your health whenever it’s convenient to you, without waiting for the post or calling our teams.
The platform, called Patients Know Best, enables you to access important documents such as appointment details, clinic letters, and now radiology imaging results, which will appear in your portal 28 days after clinical review. It also provides a host of other benefits including amending or cancelling outpatient appointments and reminders of upcoming appointments.
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"Deeply grateful" family donates visitor bed |
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 A family has donated a fold-out visitors' bed to a ward at Maidstone Hospital in memory of a much-loved husband and father, saying they were “deeply grateful” to the staff who cared for him during his final days.
Bryan Douglas was well known locally for his involvement in business and community life in Maidstone. He died in September last year and spent his final days on Peale Ward, where his family stayed by his side.
The new fold-out bed, donated to our MTW Hospitals Charity, will be kept on the ward and used by family members who wish to stay overnight. Bryan's wife and daughters say the gift is their way of giving back to the ward and helping other families in the same situation.
"When Bryan was admitted unexpectedly, it quickly became clear how important it was to him - and to us - to be by his side. One of the members of staff kindly tracked down and arranged for us to use one of the hospital’s visitor beds. That simple act brought comfort we badly needed and made the physical strain of those days a little easier to bear. We hope this bed donated in Bryan’s memory offers others even a little of the support we so desperately needed and were so grateful to receive.”
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One-year anniversary of Fordcombe Hospital
 Last week, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of Fordcombe Hospital joining the Trust.
Located near Tunbridge Wells, Fordcombe Hospital provides care across a range of specialties, including diagnostics, general surgery and gastroenterology.
The extra capacity provided by Fordcombe Hospital has enabled the Trust to support the wider NHS across Kent and Medway.
Over 26,000 appointments and treatments have been delivered at Fordcombe Hospital in the last year, and an additional 2,000 of the longest-waiting NHS patients from across the system have now also been transferred to the Trust.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Chief Executive, Miles Scott, recognised the hard work and expertise of the teams at Fordcombe Hospital, commending the support they provide to NHS services and patients in the region.
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Celebrating Nigerian Independence Day |
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 On 1 October we celebrated Nigerian Independence Day, marking 65 years since Nigeria gained independence and recognising the country’s rich culture and history.
Colleagues got together in our restaurants at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals to enjoy a special menu of Nigerian cuisine including spiced chicken and jollof rice, with many donning vibrant traditional dress in adire fabric, specially made for the celebrations!
The day also provided an opportunity to highlight the vast multicultural workforce working across the Trust and the wider NHS, and the rich diversity of our healthcare service and communities.
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Consultants take on epic fundraising challenge
 An intrepid group of consultant oncologists are taking on the Kent Downs 50km Ultra Challenge tomorrow (11 October), raising funds for our Kent Oncology Centre to support innovations such as surface-guided, tattooless radiotherapy treatment.
Jennifer Glendenning, Catherine Harper-Wynne, Gemma Hegarty, Rema Jyothirmayi, Lorna Kviat, Gemma McCormick and Jenny Pang will be swapping treatments for trainers and delivering high doses of willpower, teamwork and blister plasters as they tackle 50km of hills, trails and questionable weather!
They've already raised over £6,000 and the funds raised will support the Trust in delivering innovative radiotherapy care and treatment.
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Join MTW's upcoming Board meeting
 Our next Trust Board meeting takes place on Thursday 30 October at 9.45am
Members of the public and staff are welcome to join the meeting in person at the Education Centre in Tunbridge Wells Hospital, or online via Teams. The meeting link will be available on the Trust’s website from the start of that week.
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