Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

06/05/2026

Please help us help you by choosing the right service for your needs.

🚑 Emergency Departments should be kept for emergencies – if you come in with something minor, you may face a long wait as priority is given to patients with the most urgent clinical need.

💊 Pharmacies can advise on minor illnesses and conditions, and how to manage your medications.

📱The Healthier Together app lets you create a secure profile for your child, check their symptoms if they're unwell and get advice.

🏥 Minor injuries units can help with deep cuts, eye injuries, broken bones, severe sprains, minor head injuries, minor burns or scalds, and minor sports injuries.

💻 If you need clinical advice, NHS 111 is available 24/7.

Please choose your healthcare services wisely - more in the comments about options available. 👇

06/05/2026

“We wanted to raise money as a way of giving back, to say thank you for everything the team did for our grandad and to keep his memory alive.” 💕

Patients and staff in Maidstone Hospital’s Stroke Unit will benefit from enhanced rehabilitation facilities thanks to a family’s donation to our MTW Hospitals Charity

Chloe Theobald and her family walked from Minster on Sea to Rainham, a 12-mile journey, in memory of their grandfather, Chris Olde, who died in May 2025.

Together, the family raised an incredible £1,045 to fund improvements in the Stroke Unit that will support patient recovery.

Head of Charity and Fundraising, Claire Ashby said: “Your efforts and compassion remind us of the strength of our community and help us continue to improve the lives of people post-stroke.”

05/05/2026

Saying thank you to our amazing teams on International Day of The Midwife! ❤️

Today we celebrate and thank our incredible MTW Maternity teams.

From the first scan to the first cry, our compassionate, skilled, and dedicated teams support families from pregnancy through birth and beyond.

In the past year they've welcomed over 5,400 babies! 👶

A huge thank you to our midwifery colleagues for the difference you make across our hospitals and communities, every day. ✨💙

Stay tuned for our annual Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Awards later this week!

02/05/2026

The research at Tunbridge Wells Hospital aims to improve outcomes for infants with brain injuries at birth.

Eliza, born in October last year, was the first baby to be selected for the study, which involves using a special cooling blanket or mattress, assessing how well it can help to prevent later disability.

Read more 👇

A baby has become the first to be recruited to a global study of brain injury in newborns at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

More here: https://bbc.in/4dobEQb

02/05/2026

🦵The first results from a trial of pioneering reconstructive knee surgery for young patients who have torn their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) have received a national award.

We are the only trust in the UK offering a new type of surgery as part of the LivD-ACL study, where children have their ACL reconstructed using a parent’s hamstring.

✅ Excellent outcomes have been reported for the first 20 patients (aged 10 - 17) who have returned to sport at the same level as before their injury.

Six months after the surgery, all the donor parents scored their leg function the same as it was before the operation, and one has since completed an ultramarathon!

🏆 Mr Bowman, along with Orthopaedic and Research Physiotherapist, Helen Sankey, presented the results from the first 20 patients at the British Association for Surgery of the Knee conference last month, receiving the Best Podium Presentation prize.

Congratulations to Mr Bowman, Helen and their team for their amazing work! 👏

Full story in the comments ⬇️

01/05/2026

☀️ Going away on holiday? Let us know if you won't be able to make your hospital appointment, so it can be offered to someone else.

Fewer missed appointments saves the NHS money which can be invested in our services.

Call the number on your letter or use our patient portal ➡️ www.mtw.nhs.uk/portal

30/04/2026

Congratulations to our very own Trish Mugwangi, Lead Professional Midwifery Advocate who ran last weekend's London Marathon in an impressive 6 hours, 23 minutes! 🙌

After 26.2 miles of passion, perseverance and purpose, Trish said: "Midwives work tirelessly to provide compassionate, high-quality care for women and families every day.

"This fundraiser is my way of giving back to those who give so much." 💕

The funds she has raised for our MTW Hospitals Charitywill support International Day of the Midwife celebrations – a chance to recognise the incredible work of our midwives - and support wellbeing initiatives for our MTW Maternity staff.

Trish has already raised almost £1,000 and if you'd like to show your support, you can still sponsor her via JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/page/trish-mugwangi-1

Congratulations Trish - we couldn't be prouder! 🏅

29/04/2026

🧼 Infection prevention and control helps prevent the spread of germs, keeping patients and staff safe.

Infection prevention and control excellence awards are presented to departments or individuals showing exemplary IPC practice.

This could include equipment or environmental cleanliness, hand hygiene, and teaching or improvement initiatives.

There was stiff competition this month but April's winners are:

🏆 Cornwallis Ward at Maidstone Hospital in recognition of their exemplary management of a norovirus outbreak and high standard of hand hygiene.

🏆 Ward 20 at Tunbridge Wells Hospital for their strong audit results over the month.

Well done all! 👏

29/04/2026

🚨 Help our hospitals by choosing the best service for you and your family, and saving A&E for life-threatening emergencies or serious injuries.

If it’s urgent but not life-threatening, you can get fast, expert advice from:

💊 Your local pharmacy

💻 111.nhs.uk

🤕 A local minor injury unit.

Find out more at www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk

Choosing the right service means quicker care for you, and helps the NHS help everyone.

Thank you to all our teams who are working hard to care for our communities, today and every day.

28/04/2026

We welcomed some familiar faces last month, as patients cared for on the Stroke Unit returned to Maidstone Hospital.

They were invited to give feedback on the development of the Acute Stroke Unit lounge where patients and their families can spend time away from the ward, and the day room where they re-learn everyday skills including making a cup of tea.

The visitors were joined by the West Kent Stroke Association, who also gave input to benefit future stroke patients.

From suggesting furnishings with rounded edges to calming design schemes, the group's insights will ensure the areas enhance patients’ lives after stroke and aid their recovery.

Linda Sherwood, who survived a stroke during the Covid pandemic, said: “The provision of privacy in a relaxing and comfortable area can add to the rehabilitation process and to accepting the major changes that stroke brings to survivors and their nearest and dearest."

Work is now underway to raise funds for the MTW Hospitals Charity to put some of the group’s suggestions into practice.

27/04/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The flags were out for St George's Day celebrations in the Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre last week as staff enjoyed tea and cake to celebrate! 🍰

The Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre at Maidstone Hospital has three state-of-the-art operating theatres and 24 beds, increasing capacity across Kent and Medway for routine orthopaedic operations.

A dedicated team including doctors, therapists, and nurses have delivered care to over 4,500 patients since the centre opened in 2024, providing planned surgery on bones, joints and muscles.

27/04/2026

Before any planned surgery, pre-operative assessments make sure patients are ready for their procedure.

We’re changing how we do these, and you’ll now get a health questionnaire by email.

Make sure we have your email address, and that you complete the questionnaire when it arrives in your inbox. Your answers will help us decide if you need any further tests.

For some patients, this will save a trip to hospital, or mean a shorter appointment.

This means we can see more people and make sure you are ready for your procedure, which can help improve your recovery.

If you need help to access the questionnaire, call the number on your appointment letter.