Darent Valley Hospital (DVH)

01/12/2025

Seasonal flu is very common and highly infectious. It can be much more severe than the common cold.

For some at-risk groups (especially frail elderly people and individuals with certain health conditions), flu can be very dangerous. The flu vaccine is seasonal, usually starting in September/October.

If you are eligible for the Covid-19 and flu vaccines you can access these via your GP practice or at a local pharmacy.

You will receive an invite letter or text for the Covid-19 vaccine, which will include details of how to book using the national booking system: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

For more information on the flu jab and other vaccinations, please visit: https://www.getvaccinatednow.co.uk/65-and-over

29/11/2025

✨Your appointments, your way. Have you heard about Patient Initiated Follow Ups (PIFU)? ✨

Patient Initiated Follow up (PIFU) is a new way of arranging your hospital outpatient follow up appointments.

Through your PIFU plan, you can arrange follow-up appointments with your hospital care team if you experience worsening of your symptoms related to the condition for which you were last treated. This puts you, the patient (or your caregiver), in control of your follow-up appointments and gives you access to support and guidance when you need it most.

👉 Ask your clinician for more information and see if you are eligible!

Learn more here: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/outpatients-transformation/pifu

28/11/2025

Huge congratulations to Maple ward for achieving SILVER accreditation award.

The ward accreditation is a nationally recognised framework that evaluates clinical areas based on the Care Quality Commission‘s (CQC) five key domains; SAFE, CARING, EFFECTIVE,RESPONSIVE and WELL-LED.

Each ward is assessed against these standards and awarded one of four accreditation levels: White, Bronze, Silver and Gold depending on their ward accreditation results.

Maple ward achieved an overall score of 70% - Silver. This is a big achievement for the team and they achieved good scores in the five domains;

SAFE= 64% Bronze
CARING= 86% Gold
EFFECTIVE= 55% Bronze
RESPONSIVE=77% Silver
WELL-LED= 84% Silver

Their achievement shows their dedication and hard work towards high quality patient care, safety and experience.

Well done!

28/11/2025

Do you have diabetes? Be sure to join the Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group!

The group provides lots of information, advice and support for those with diabetes in the local area.

They also run social events and their next bowling extravaganza will be taking place on 24 January 2026 at Tenpin Bowling in Bexleyheath.

Join their official Facebook group and watch the video for full information! 🎳

27/11/2025

We are thrilled to share that Angela Agore, Lead Nurse for Research at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, has been awarded Overseas Nurse of the Year at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards 2025!

Angela’s journey from Ghana to the UK is a story of resilience, vision, and impact. Within her role as Lead Research Nurse she has supported the service to rise from 10th to 3rd place within the region for recruits to trials whilst also ensuring that our research reflects the needs of our community.

Beyond the Trust, Angela champions inclusion and diversity globally. As UK lead for the Ghanaian Diaspora Nursing Alliance, she supports over 600 nurses, mentors future leaders, and advocates for fairer policies on international platforms.

Her leadership philosophy is rooted in compassion and lived experience, proving that setbacks can become stepping stones to success.

Please join us in congratulating Angela on this incredible achievement!

27/11/2025

📣The Salvation Army in the Bexley Borough warmly welcomes you to our Bexleyheath Church on Lion Road every Thursday from 10:00am to 2:00pm (last client check-in at 1:00pm).

Are you homeless?
Experiencing a crisis?
Living with drug or alcohol addiction?
Looking for support with training or employment, especially if you have learning difficulties or mental health conditions?
Struggling with benefits or living in unstable accommodation?

If any of these apply to you, please come and see us. Each week, we host professionals from across the Bexley Borough who are committed to offering the advice and support you need.

This week, we are pleased to welcome our new partner agency, Bexley Business and Employment—a free, voluntary programme that supports people with health conditions, disabilities, or other challenges to find work, stay in employment, and improve their wellbeing.

We are also delighted that the DWP will be returning to our service this Thursday!

If you’re hungry, we offer a free breakfast, with donations welcome if you’re able.
If you need to freshen up, we provide showers with clean towels and toiletries.
If your phone needs charging, you’re welcome to use our facilities.

And if you simply need a warm, safe space, a hot drink, and a friendly chat, we are here for you. 🤗

26/11/2025

📢 Can’t make your appointment? Need to cancel or reschedule? Please let us know as soon as possible. 📢

It is important for your treatment that you attend your scheduled appointment but if you need to cancel or change your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the appointment to another patient.

Patients who do not let us know if they cannot attend their appointments leads to longer waiting lists and longer wait times for patients who need care and treatment.

We are therefore urging patients to let us know as soon as possible when you are no longer able to attend an appointment or where appropriate, you wish to arrange a virtual consultation.

👉 We are working really hard to support easy ways in which you can cancel or change an appointment and you can currently do this online here:
https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/cancelappointment

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

24/11/2025

The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service now includes oral emergency contraception (morning after pill).

This important update means women in Kent and Medway can now access free oral contraception and directly from their local community pharmacy.

Spread the word and help make sure everyone knows about this new service.

Find out how your pharmacy team can help you.

23/11/2025

✨Flu Jab - Myth vs Fact ✨

❌ MYTH: The flu vaccine is not safe for my community

✅ FACT: The flu vaccine is safe and tested for all communities. It has been used safely in millions of patients across the UK

______________________________

💡Did you know, if you're aged 65 and over and live in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, you can drop in at a local community pop up vaccination clinic to have your free flu jab?

👉 View the list of locations here - it's always being updated: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/pop-vaccine-clinics-launching-across-dartford-gravesham-and-swanley-make-it-easier-over-65s-get-protected-winter

👩‍⚕️Alternatively, you can book your slot at a GP practice or pharmacy in the usual way online at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services or by calling 119.

💙 The flu jab could protect you from serious illness this winter

21/11/2025

On Wednesday, we marked World COPD Day.

Our respiratory nursing team spent the day in A&E and on the wards, talking to staff about COPD.
This year’s theme is “Short of Breath, Think COPD.” COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet it is often missed or misdiagnosed. Early diagnosis and treatment can transform lives—improving symptoms, lung function, and quality of life.

If someone has persistent breathlessness, chronic cough, or a history of exposure to risk factors like smoking or occupational hazards, COPD should be considered.

Together, we can raise awareness and improve outcomes for patients.

20/11/2025

Thank you to everyone who took part in Sugar Awareness Week!

Throughout the week, we hosted interactive activities, displayed educational boards, and shared tips to help us all spot the hidden sugars in everyday foods. Staff, patients, and visitors engaged in conversations about healthier choices, and we saw fantastic participation across the Trust.

Your enthusiasm made this initiative a success, and together we’ve taken an important step toward promoting better health and wellbeing.