Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

🏳️‍🌈 Rain couldn’t stop us at Pride Canterbury today!

We were to join the party at Pride today - a time to stand together, challenge inequality and make sure every voice is heard, and every person belongs.

We thank and support our LGBTQIA + colleagues, patients, and communities past and present, who continue to shape a more inclusive NHS and a more compassionate world.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Today is !

🔬 Biomedical scientists carry out lab tests to help diagnose illnesses. They use hands on methods, like looking at samples under a microscope, and automated machines to process large numbers of samples quickly.

🧫 They also help monitor diseases, predict how they might develop, and support treatment decisions.

👩‍🔬 We have biomedical scientists working in blood sciences (laboratory haematology, blood transfusion and clinical biochemistry), microbiology, cellular pathology (histology and non-gynae cytology) and point of care testing.

Their work is essential – and often unseen – but forms part of 85% of all clinical decisions in the NHS.

💙 Today is a great opportunity to thank the biomedical scientists and lab staff who work around the clock, 365 days a year to support patient care.

Our Stroke Advisory Group held their first meeting on Tuesday, discussing how best to meet the needs of our stroke patients.

The group includes people with experience of stroke care at MTW - including patients, family members and carers - who share their views and discuss service developments, helping shape our stroke services.

The Stroke Research team presented some exciting research opportunities supporting the advancement of stroke care, and the Speech and Language Therapy team were on hand to help those with communication difficulties share their opinions.

Clinical Lead for Stroke, Catherine Mandri, said: “The event provided lots of helpful ideas for projects and developments in the service, as well as information about potential research projects stroke survivors could take part in that would really benefit future patients."

The next meeting is at Hermitage Court in Maidstone on Monday 7 September.

✉️ Email [email protected] for more information and to take part.

The Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre at Maidstone Hospital was one of more than 100 elective surgical hubs across England joining forces last month to maximise efficiency and deliver high quality treatment to as many patients as possible.

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) is an NHS England programme looking at how things are done and how they could be improved - helping more patients get the care they need, more quickly.

⬆️ During GIRFT's Hub Optimisation Week the KMOC team operated on almost 30% more patients than in an average week and were able to maximise the amount of time our theatres were in use, and started on time.

📉 They also decreased the number of cancellations on the day.

The week included a 'high intensity theatre list' of 1️⃣3️⃣ hip replacements in two operating theatres, led by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Syed Ahmed.

Mr Lee David, Clinical Director for Trauma and Orthopaedics said: "As a high-volume regional elective orthopaedic hub, KMOC continues to develop pathways that prioritise efficiency, patient safety and high-quality outcomes."

The week's achievements were only possible thanks to amazing teamwork between the Clinical Administration Unit, pre-admission clinics, ward staff, theatre staff, therapies, anaesthetists surgeons and operational management.

Amazing work, KMOC team! 👏

Read more in the comments ⬇️

📞 50,000 calls a month
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Twenty-three colleagues
🕛24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meet the Switchboard team who work to ensure every call is answered and every message reaches the right place.

Taking around 50,000 calls a month, including around 250 emergency calls, they gather essential information and alert the correct bleep team at the right hospital.

Whether it is a cardiac arrest, trauma call, stroke alert or major haemorrhage, every second counts and accuracy is critical.

Carol Hannaford, who has worked as a telephonist for 22 years, said: “You never know what the next call will bring, but that’s what makes the role so rewarding.”

The team also monitor alarm panels, keeping a close eye on systems such as fire alarms, boilers and medical gas supplies, and is the point of contact for major incident notifications across the south east.

John Weeks, Director of Emergency Planning and Response, said: “The team are crucial in keeping everything connected, especially when things are busy or under pressure.

"It’s not always visible work, but it’s essential, and they handle it with consistency and professionalism. They’re a brilliant team to work with.”

A huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers! 💙

VolunteersWeek 🌟

Volunteers - hard working and dedicated people doing what they do not because they have to but because they want to! 💚

One of the greatest gifts to give is time and our loyal volunteers give theirs in abundance. So, to each and every Volunteer giving your time in our League of Friends and beyond, THANK YOU!
Your time, service, loyalty and commitment is invaluable, whether in the shop, on the ward trolley or behind the scenes, your time makes a difference and we are truly grateful. Our team of Volunteers make our League of Friends what it is and all we have achieved over many years.
Enjoy this special week dedicated to each and everyone of you, we definitely couldn’t do this without you 💚
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Under 20 and live or work in Dartford?

The friendly MTW Sexual Health team at Overy Street Clinic offers confidential sexual health care, including contraception, STI testing and treatment.

Free, confidential walk in every Tuesday, 3–5pm.

No booking needed – just walk in.

It’s 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 they are delivering care or receiving it.

🌈 Throughout Pride Month, we’ll be championing visibility by attending local pride events, including Pride Canterbury.

We marked Dementia Awareness Week (18 to 25 May) with activities led by the Dementia and Delirium team and allied health professionals.

👩‍🏫 Teaching trolley rounds helped raise awareness of John’s Campaign, the Forget Me Not scheme, and simple changes that can make a difference when caring for people living with dementia.

🍰 Memory cafés brought patients together to take part in reminiscence activities, promoting connection, comfort and wellbeing.

The Amelia Scott also joined memory cafes at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, bringing historical artefacts to support reminiscence and conversation.

🪴 Patients on Ward 22 at Tunbridge Wells Hospital took part in a gardening group, planting forget me not flowers

👑 The Therapy team at Tunbridge Wells Hospital held a reminiscence group focussed on the Royal Wedding, using old photographs to help stimulate long-term memory.

Together, the week’s activities helped raise awareness of dementia and reinforced our commitment to compassionate, dementia friendly care.

📲 Parents and guardians can now access their child’s health records securely through our patient portal.

✉️ Get email updates on letters, and complete questionnaires to support your child’s care – all in one place!

Request access and read our ‘how to’ guide: www.mtw.nhs.uk/patient-portal

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 With over 240,000 users, our portal is helping families stay informed and involved.