Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

08/11/2025

From broken bones to tumours, radiographers operate specialist equipment like X-ray machines, CT and MRI scanners, to help diagnose and treat patients.

Last year our radiographers delivered around 400,000 imaging tests!

☢️ 85,830 CT scans

🧲 51,028 MRI scans

🩻 180,460 X-rays

🤰78,734 ultrasounds.

Today is World Radiography Day, when we celebrate the vital contribution of radiographers, medical imaging professionals and our therapeutic radiographers.

Mammography, DEXA (bone density) scanning and nuclear medicine are also part of this field.

They all play a vital role in accurate diagnosis, patient care and healthcare innovation.

A huge THANK YOU to all our wonderful radiography colleagues for everything you do! 💙

06/11/2025

A huge thank you to the Nicholson family and Friends of Tunbridge Wells Hospital, and our amazing Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist for Critical Care, Lizzie Allen, who helped bring this project to life for our patients. 💙

What a lovely thing to do - it even has power points so patients can enjoy the outdoors even if they still need support from specialist medical equipment.

06/11/2025

"What an amazing legacy to leave behind."

Last month, ITV News Meridian visited Maidstone Hospital to meet Consultant Ophthalmologist, Sundas Maqsood and some of her patients who have had life-changing cornea transplants to save their sight.

The ITV team spent a morning in Miss Maqsood's clinic to hear about the impact of this type of surgery, and meet some of the patients still waiting for a transplant.

Around 6,000 people in the UK need a cornea transplant, with many waiting well over a year because of a shortage of donors.

Please consider signing up to the NHS Organ Donation register and make sure you share your wishes with your family. Your decision could give someone else the gift of sight.

In October 2025, ITV Meridian visited Maidstone Hospital to meet Consultant Ophthalmologist, Miss Sundas Maqsood and patients who have had life-changing corn...

05/11/2025

Just some of the ways our incredible occupational therapists are making a difference:

🚑 In A&E, timely assessments and tailored interventions help occupational therapists (OTs) prevent avoidable hospital admissions and ensure patients get support to return home safely.

🏥 OTs in Critical Care focus on restoring function and independence from the earliest stages of recovery, helping improve patient outcomes, reduce long-term complications and support a faster transition home.

🩼 The OT team in the Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre support early discharges and improve patient flow through the service.

🧠 In Stroke and Neurology, OTs provide expert, complex assessments and discharge planning to promote recovery, independence, and quality of life.

🛏️ On acute and elderly care wards, OTs work with families and multidisciplinary teams to ensure patients leave hospital safely, with appropriate support for continued recovery and independence.

OTs play a vital role in keeping people independent by considering the whole person: their environment, routines, goals, and challenges, and design practical, meaningful solutions that improve daily life.

Happy Occupational Therapy Week to all our wonderful occupational therapists, and thank you for the difference you make to patients every day! 💙

05/11/2025

Great to see our amazing Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre team featured here, following the visit of Health Minister, Karin Smyth MP, to the centre's official naming and first anniversary event last week. 💙

04/11/2025

🪴 Critically ill patients are recovering with the help of an improved Intensive Care Unit (ICU) garden thanks to a generous bequest to the Friends of Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

ICU patients face a long battle back to health and may spend weeks in hospital.

🌻 The garden helps support their mental and physical wellbeing, giving them time away from the clinical area and the chance to meet family, friends - and sometimes even their pets - outside.

Raised flower beds and mobile planters make the space accessible for patients in beds or wheelchairs, so they can enjoy the space even if they need support from specialist medical equipment.

💙 Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible including Tim Schooley, Tim Tempest and the Sherwood Mens Shed for crafting the moveable planters, and Provender Nurseries, Pipers Farm, and How Green Nursery Ltd for their generous contributions of plants, trees, and greenery.

We are also very grateful to Tate Fencing and the Ceramics Department at Mayfield School, and to artist Hendog for the custom mural.

The improvements were funded by a generous 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.

Their daughter Carol attended a special dedication event at Tunbridge Wells Hospital yesterday, and said: "I think David and Joyce would approve of the garden; getting fresh air and seeing plants, flowers and nature can aid recovery for those who are seriously ill and recovering from major operations or trauma.

“I really hope this garden will be a cherished place for staff and patients.”

31/10/2025

Look Good Feel Better UK run workshops for people living with cancer.

Supported by our MTW Hospitals Charity the workshops support those living with a cancer diagnosis and help them with the emotional and physical impact of their cancer treatment.

The events aim to boost confidence, help patients manage the cosmetic impact of their treatment, and let them talk to others in a similar situation.

📍 The Acorn Room, Ditton Community Centre
📅 6 November
🕒 1.30 to 3.30pm

Whether you're newly diagnosed or further along in treatment, these workshops are all about helping you feel supported – and feel like yourself again.

Book your place: https://tinyurl.com/4kw3hddf

30/10/2025

The Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre team welcomed Health Minister, Karin Smyth MP, to the surgical hub's official naming and first anniversary event today. 💙

The minister met staff and toured the centre, which has three state-of-the-art operating theatres and 24 beds and increases capacity across Kent and Medway for routine orthopaedic operations.

A dedicated team including doctors, therapists, and nurses have delivered care to almost 3,500 patients since the centre opened in 2024, providing planned surgery on bones, joints and muscles.🦴

During her visit, Ms Smyth also visited Maidstone Hospital's Care Coordination Centre, which uses real time data to monitor the Trust’s 700 beds, improving the movement of patients through its hospitals.

Miles Scott, Chief Executive, said: “The Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre is transforming care for patients and it was a pleasure to welcome Karin Smyth and highlight the difference this facility is making.

“With dedicated theatres and inpatient and day wards the centre is helping us reduce waiting times and provide faster access to planned orthopaedic surgery. It is an investment which demonstrates our commitment to delivering outstanding care and improving patient experience across Kent and Medway.”

Read the full story: https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/2025/10/health-minister-visits-high-performing-surgical-centre/

28/10/2025

Our Trust Board meeting will now be taking place at 9.15am on Thursday 30 October in the Academic Centre at Maidstone Hospital.

Members of the public and staff are welcome to join the meeting in person or online via Teams - visit www.mtw.nhs.uk/board-meetings for details.

26/10/2025

Behind every successful cancer treatment is a team of dedicated professionals working to ensure patients receive the safest, most effective care.

At the heart of this are the engineers who keep our complex machines running day in, day out.

🏅 This month, the work of Senior Radiation Engineer, Mohamed Madani was recognised with a prestigious gold medal!

Alongside his team, he maintains and optimises high-precision linear accelerators and radiotherapy systems, ensuring every treatment is delivered safely and reliably.

The gold medal was formally presented by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine - IPEM and the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, for an essay highlighting how engineering ensures patient safety and contributes to the NHS’s Green Plan.

Collecting his award, Mohamed said: “I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues in the Radiation Engineering Department for their teamwork and encouragement.

“This recognition reflects the collective commitment of our engineering group to delivering safe, reliable and sustainable radiotherapy services for our patients.”

Congratulations Mohamed and thank you for everything you do for our patients! 👏

25/10/2025

🏆 A nursing student from MidKent College who joined us for her industry placement has won the T Level Student category at the regional finals of the Department for Education’s National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards.

Maddie Dunkley joined MTW last year, becoming an integral member of the inpatient team in the Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre.

She has earned praise from colleagues and patients alike for her dedication, ambition and compassionate care.

Equivalent to three A Levels, T Levels focus on vocational skills, preparing students for skilled employment, further study, or apprenticeships.

Her success at the regional awards means Maddie will progress to the national awards ceremony in London on 26 November.

Congratulations Maddie and good luck!! 👏

23/10/2025

Visiting hospital can be a daunting experience, particularly for our youngest patients.

Three-year-old Toby visited Maidstone Hospital for a procedure last week which involved an anaesthetic.

🩺 The team helped prepare him for his procedure: dressing up as a doctor reduced his anxiety and made him feel more involved in the process.

Toby didn’t want to take his costume off, even in the anaesthetic room!

🧸 Last week was Play in Healthcare Week, recognising the power of play in healthcare settings

Our MTW Children's Services play specialists support children during their time in hospital, using play to reduce anxiety, help children express their emotions, and build confidence.

Using role play, play specialists can explain medical language and procedures so children feel more comfortable in the hospital environment and can develop an understanding of their experience.