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Dear Sir – The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published three reports on Maidstone and TunbridgeWells hospital, containing the detailed findings of, and recommendations to emerge from, inspections that they carried out last October. We are proud that our staff are almost


universally recognised in the reports as being caring and compassionate by both the CQC inspectors and our patients, and that they displayed a willingness throughout the review to use this as a positive opportunity to improve. There are also areas of outstanding practice noted by the CQC, including the Maidstone Birth Centre, maternity services at TunbridgeWells, work on dementia care and our breast care service. Our overall CQC rating is “requires improvement”. Althoughwe are disappointed not to be rated good on this occasion, the CQC recognises thatwe have used the review process in a positiveway to help build up an “excellent picture” of our strengths andweaknesses to proactively “drive through improvements in care”. It has been our aim to be open and transparent throughout the review, to make the process as beneficial as possible for our organisation, our staff and ultimately our patients. The reports therefore fairly reflect the improvementswe have made in recent years, our many areas of good practice, and the actionswe must take (many of which are now underway or completed), and somewe should consider, to further improve and reduce possible risks to our patient care. Aquality summitwas held by our trust


and CQC to openly discuss the reports with our many partners. Itwas recognised that we have a clear understanding of our responsibilities, that actions are underway where any urgent improvements are required, and a robust process is in place to monitor progress.At the same time,we are collaboratively addressing some of our long-term challenges that require the assistance and support of our partners. All three reports are publicly available on


ourwebsite www.mtw.nhs.uk to read and comment on. It continues to be our aim to have two vibrant hospitals in Maidstone and TunbridgeWells that collaboratively provide patients with the highest standards of care. Glenn Douglas, chief executive, Maidstone and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust


Great care atA&E


Dear Sir – I recently aended theA&E department at Maidstone Hospital with a knee injury. The service I receivedwas second to none. Although the departmentwas full to bursting, the dedication of the staffwas tremendous considering the pressure they


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32 Malling February 2015 Diane Nicholls


Assistant editor diane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 232


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were under. I wish to extend my thanks to Lorraine at reception, the first member of the nursing staff who interviewed me (name forgoen), Sister Michelle Booth and the gentleman in the X-ray department for the courtesy, patience, professionalism and sympathy I received. The advice and care received from Michellewas beyond the normal kind of care that one would expect. I spent 50 years in Zimbabwe and returned to this country five years ago. During my time there I spent 26 years as chairman of a medical aid society dealing with all sorts of issues. I know the pressures, especially when a member is desperately ill and requires urgent medical aention. I do not know why it is that people complain. They should spend time in a third world country and see the difference between the two services. Perhaps it is the 4% of the population who will complain about anything. Congratulations to Maidstone Hospital on


a very fine organisation. Alistair Black, by email


Future of the NHS


Dear Sir -With a general election due in May I have been thinking about the future of the NHS. At Maidstone and TunbridgeWells the hospital trust is so short of nursing staff it is proposing to bribe potential recruits with Ipads etc. As the Government has put legislation in place to enable easy privatisation without a mandate, they obviously think that is theway forward. This led me to consider the unpredicted consequences of past privatisations. Instead of a more efficient rail service run


by private British companieswe now have one of the most expensive rail systems in the world, owned mainly by foreign companies. We have mainly foreign-owned energy companies who raise tariffs on a whim but when oil and gas prices fall, as at present, there is hardly a murmur. Is British Airways another privatisation success? Whatwas once Britain’s flagship airline now shares headquarters in Madrid, Spain with its partner, Iberia. Imagine all the improvements after the


NHS is privatised. There are lots of NHS assets ripe for stripping. Think of all that land at Preston Hall! I think I prefer to stick with the NHS, of


which one of the founding principleswas treatment according to need, not profit. Perhaps, in Maidstone, Helen Grant and the other parliamentary candidates could let us know how they would like to see a future NHS, either in private hands or properly funded and democratically accountable. Tony Monk, Coxheath


Park noise around clock


The Travelodge in Maidstone just after it was built – free fromrust but still not pretty


Ugliest building needs help


Dear Sir – The Travelodge hotel in Maidstone town centrewas opened in 2010, by no means the most prey of buildings but nevertheless created more business opportunities and jobs for Maidstone, which is great. But how come after a short time it is already showing ageing symptoms such as faded colour and, more seriously, that horrendous rust that is taking over the building’s fascia? Every time I pass by it is an eyesore. During the past few years I have seen a


huge improvement in Maidstone’s centre, where I amsure a lot of money has been spent to give it awell-deserved facelift, but surely someone from Maidstone Council can point out to this company that they could maintain their building a bit beer? Not for nothingwas it voted the ugliest building in town. Brian Penaloza, by email


Dear Sir –Residents in the Mote Park area will be dismayed to learn that Cllr Malcolm Greer’s commiee, on Maidstone Council, has granted permission for a weekend rock event in Mote Park in July. The last time a similar prolonged assault


on our ears was approved – the Radio 1 BigWeekend in 2008 – not only did residents as far away as Loose have to put up with unacceptable levels of noise, but I was told the town was faced with a bill of about £30,000 to clear up afterwards and re-instate the park. This was in spite of being reassured by Cllr FranWilson that there would be no cost to ratepayers. Town traders did not benefit, as local people stayed away from the town and there were numerous parking problems. For the Radio 1 event, the council did, at


least, have the courtesy to inform us well in advance, but this proposed event in July seems to have crept in under the radar. Goodness knows what the justification is


for imposing this agony on residents, but I only hope that when it comes to the next local election, those who will suffer in July will remember who was responsible. David Hacke, ParkWay, Maidstone


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