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#Patientfirst
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November 2025
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Health minister visits high-performing surgical centre
 The Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre at Maidstone Hospital has celebrated its formal naming and first anniversary with a visit from Karin Smyth MP, Minister of State for Health.
The minister toured the multimillion-pound surgical centre which has three state-of-the-art operating theatres and 24 beds, increasing capacity across Kent and Medway for routine orthopaedic operations.
Almost 3,500 patients have been treated in the centre since it opened in 2024, receiving planned surgery on bones, joints and muscles.
As part of a national scheme to deliver more than 50 new surgical hubs across England, the centre focuses on non-emergency surgery and brings together specialist teams under one roof. This approach also supports shorter hospital stays, helping patients recover quickly and return home sooner.
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Cornea donation gives the gift of sight
 For Julian Pinhey, a professional model maker specialising in very detailed work, being diagnosed with an eye disease that would gradually erode his sight meant he feared the future.
Thanks to the Ophthalmology team at Maidstone Hospital and corneal tissue donated by two people, Julian has had his vision restored.
The cornea is the clear, outer layer at the front of your eye, letting in light so you can see, and a cornea transplant can save sight, relieve pain and treat severe infection.
There is an urgent need for more people to donate their corneas - around 6,000 people in the UK are currently awaiting a transplant, with many waiting well over a year due to a shortage of donors.
The importance of cornea donation was highlighted in an ITV Meridian news special last month, featuring our Ophthalmology team and patients who have benefited from the surgery.
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Sharing life-saving skills on Restart a Heart Day |
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Our Resuscitation team recently joined forces with Southeastern rail services to train members of the public in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency resuscitation techniques at Maidstone East station.
Over 30,000 cardiac arrests happen outside hospital every year in the UK, yet most people wouldn't know what to do when every second counts.
A cardiac arrest is when a person’s heart stops pumping blood around their body. It is different to a heart attack, which occurs when a blocked artery stops blood from reaching a section of the heart. Many cardiac arrests in adults happen because of a heart attack.
Held on national Restart a Heart Day, the event showed commuters how quickly critical CPR skills can be learned, enabling the public to act confidently in medical emergencies.
Resuscitation Officer, Lesley Higham said: “Many commuters were surprised at how straightforward CPR is once you know the steps, and how little time it takes to make a real difference.
“It’s incredibly empowering to witness everyday people gain the confidence to act decisively in an emergency — because in those critical moments, their actions could mean the difference between life and death.”
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Supporting young patients through play
Coming into hospital can be a daunting experience, particularly for our youngest patients.
Play specialists in Children’s Services support children during their time in hospital, using play to reduce anxiety, and help them to express their emotions and build confidence.
Three-year-old Toby recently visited Maidstone Hospital for a procedure which involved an anaesthetic. The team helped prepare Toby by encouraging him to dress up as a doctor and making him feel more involved in what was happening. Toby didn’t want to take his costume off, even in the anaesthetic room!
By using role play, play specialists can help children understand what is happening to them, and feel safe, supported and involved in their care.
The vital work of our play specialists was recently celebrated during Play in Healthcare Week, which highlights the importance of play for children in helping with their treatment, recovery and emotional wellbeing.
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Consultant shares endometriosis expertise on ITV |
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 ITV Meridian recently visited Maidstone Hospital to film a special news feature on robotic surgery.
The TV production crew met Consultant Gynaecologist and Endometriosis Lead for the Trust, Mr Ahmed El Gohari, and filmed him performing gynaecological surgery using one of the Trust's robots.
Robot-assisted surgery has many benefits for patients, due to it being less invasive. This leads to less pain after the operation and can mean faster recovery time.
Over 400 patients have already benefited from robot surgery across multiple specialties, and the technology is helping to transform care for women with endometriosis and other gynaecological conditions.
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A breath of fresh air for critical care patients
 Critically ill patients are recovering with the help of an improved Intensive Care Unit (ICU) garden at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
The garden, which has been improved and developed thanks to a generous legacy left to the Tunbridge Wells Hospital League of Friends, gives ICU patients time away from the clinical area and the chance to meet family friends, and even pets, outside. This supports their mental and physical wellbeing during what can often be a very difficult and stressful time.
The space includes electrical points for patients who need support from specialist medical equipment, and is also used by physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams for rehabilitation, to help patients take a break from their normal routine.
The work was funded by a bequest from the late David Nicholson, who worked for nearly 40 years at the old Pembury Hospital alongside his wife Joyce, who worked in Pathology.
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Inspiring women to take charge of their wellbeing
 The Physiotherapy team helped hundreds of women to take charge of their health and wellbeing at a recent West Kent Women’s Institute (WI) Lifestyle Day event.
Our advanced physiotherapists delivered an interactive session to around 300 attendees, focusing on exercise, menopause, bone health and the importance of staying active.
Encouraging everyone to get involved, they also led activities including a squat challenge, a grip strength test using a dynamometer and a lively Q&A session.
The day was a huge success and is one of a number of outreach events the team provides throughout the year, as they continue working in the local community to promote health, confidence and active living.
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