Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

September’s Employee of the Month is Phlebotomist, Maxine who received a heartfelt nomination from a parent praising her “outstanding kindness, care and compassion,” at their child's appointment. 👏 Nominate an individual or a team: mtw.nhs.uk/employee-of-the-m…

With almost 300,000 users, our patient portal is secure, free, and easy to use. 📲 Change or cancel your appointment 🩻 view radiology results 🚑 A&E and inpatient admissions, transfer and discharges, giving a clearer view of your care journey. mtw.nhs.uk/portal

Autumn has arrived in our Oncology garden! 🍂 The courtyard garden at the heart of the Kent Oncology Centre gives patients, staff and visitors a quiet place to reflect and enjoy some autumn sunshine. 📸: Fiona Rooney

Senior Speech & Language Therapist, Connie Poynter-Chard highlighted our Stroke Advisory Group’s work at a recent @ARC_KSS symposium, showing how SaLT staff help create an inclusive environment for stroke survivors with communication challenges by adapting conversations.

Join us for our next Living With Cancer Health and Wellbeing event, including a presentation from our Occupational Therapist on fatigue management. 🗓️ Monday 16 November 🕙 10.15–11.30am 📍Hermitage Court, Maidstone To book email [email protected]

Congratulations to Respiratory Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Nicki Weston who has been appointed to the British Thoracic Society Nurse Specialist Advisory Group. Nicki will work with colleagues across the country to support national initiatives to develop respiratory services.

From oncology to orthopaedics, and from bariatrics to biomedical science, research helps improve treatments and outcomes for patients. Find out about the research our colleagues were part of last month ➡️ ow.ly/epqJ50Zv654

New research is investigating the best way of treating wrist fractures, with our Emergency Department teams recruiting over 100 patients (and ranking second in the country!) to the DRAFT3 study. Read more: ow.ly/JIsc5101Lot

We’re encouraging those aged between 55 and 74 to attend, with checks being offered at the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre on Friday. The aim of the service, in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and surrounding areas, is to save lives by catching cancer early.

“I coordinate rehabilitation and discharge pathways for stroke survivors, to ensure they receive the right care and support after leaving hospital. Knowing I can help make their journey a little easier is incredibly rewarding.” Read more: ow.ly/s8F05101ZeF #WorldStrokeDay

“I enjoy the challenge of adapting my assessments and therapy approaches to each patient's individual abilities, priorities and goals, and supporting them through what can be a life-changing period." Read more: ow.ly/zmpN5101ZbU #WorldStrokeDay

On #WorldStrokeDay, meet Stroke Clinical Lead, Dr Navraj Chattha. “The most rewarding part of my role is seeing patients, particularly younger stroke survivors, make remarkable recoveries after what can be a life-changing event." Read more: ow.ly/JU2o5101Z9t

If you come to A&E you will be triaged, and we will prioritise those with the most serious illnesses and injuries. If you need medical help but it’s not urgent, consider: 💊Your local pharmacy 👩‍⚕️Your GP 📲 NHS 111 online for advice 🏥An urgent treatment centre

This month we celebrated Play in Healthcare Week (#PIHW) and shared some of the ways our health play specialists support our patients. Incorporating play, colouring, distraction & explanation helps children express themselves and understand treatments in an age-appropriate way.

We've published our new Strategy for 2026–2031, which looks at how we will respond to growing demand, changing patient needs and a changing NHS, while continuing to provide safe, high-quality care for local communities. Read more: ow.ly/fji45100T04

Help us help you by choosing the right service for you and your family, and saving A&E for emergencies. You can get fast, expert advice from: 💊 Your local pharmacy 💻 111.nhs.uk 🤕 A local minor injury unit. Find out more at stopthinkchoose.co.uk

We've been commended for taking part in the ACESO study, which aims to improve treatment for patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis, by investigating if adding upadacitinib to intravenous steroids can improve outcomes for adult patients. Read more: ow.ly/6QcA51002cM

Today is Global Clinical Engineering Day and we are celebrating the team whose expertise keeps our 56,000 medical devices safe, effective and ready to support patient care. 🔧 Their work may often happen behind the scenes, but its impact is seen across our services every day.

Happy Pharmacy Technician Day! 💊 From supporting the safe supply of medicines and helping patients get the most from their treatments, to working behind the scenes to keep pharmacy services running smoothly, pharmacy technicians are an essential part of the healthcare team.

Congratulations to the healthcare support workers who successfully completed their Care Certificates in the past month! 👏 The Care Certificate gives healthcare support workers the knowledge and skills to provide safe and compassionate care. #ExceptionalPeopleOutstandingCare