downsmail.co.uk 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, the dedication of the staffwas tremendous considering the pressure theywere under. I wish to extend my thanks to Lorraine at reception, the first member of the nursing staff who interviewed me, 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 Michelle was beyond the normal kind of care that one would expect. I spent 50 years in Zimbabwe where 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 people complain. They should spend time in a third-world country and see the difference between the two services.


Congratulations to Maidstone Hospital on


a very fine organisation. Alistair Black, councillor for Fantward


What is role of groups?


Dear Sir – I must respond to Dennis Fowle’s comment “GPs leading NHS revolution” in last month’s Downs Mail. Can I ask if this is the same revolution that


has led to a massive top-down reorganisation of the NHS and further opened it to privatisation when the coalition was given no mandate to do so and the major party actually promised no such action? I would very much like to know just how democratic the selection of GPs by their peerswas and who these GPs are accountable to. Apart from the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), part of the new arrangements are patient participation groups (PPGs) and I would ask Dennis to explain to readers how the laer groups were formed and what their function is. I believe that originally one of their functionswas to take part in consultations on the local changes being proposed by the CCGs aswell as supporting management at the practice. After aending three meetings of the PPG at my local GP surgery I ended up very confused by what our functionwas and resigned. I understand after speaking to a current member he is similarly confused. Perhaps Dennis can also explain what he


meant in his last paragraph on the subject as I feel it could be at odds with the founding principles of the NHS. I find the wording: “We are at the beginning of a revolution in how many NHS services will be supplied” followed by “If the NHS is to survive as a mostly free service to all,we…”to be potentially quite scary. What do your other readers think or are they not really bothered by what happens to our health service? Tony Monk, Coxheath


Tony, you are correct – these are key issues for the NHS. The GP-led clinical commissioning group (CCG) took over theWest Kent budget about two years ago and its greater empathy with patient needs was soon obvious to me. The 12 GPs were elected by local GPs. They have


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


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? 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


Brian, our story on page 10 states that the facade of the Travelodge is set to be improved after Cllr Dan Daley’s persistence finally paid off – not before time. Now, if only someone could miraculously transform the entire look of its even uglier neighbour, The Broadway Shopping Centre! Response by Stephen


Kims coverage an advert


Dear Sir – Iwas confused when reading the February issue regarding the amount of space (front page and all of page 14) given to the private hospital (Kims). I understand that it is of local interest to


keep residents updated as to plans for expansion and change, but a whole page of free advertising seems extremely generous on the part of the Downs Mail.


encouraged all GP practices to form patients’ participation groups and most operate successfully in GP liaison, support and often funding improvements at surgeries. To date, a few services have been put out to tender and private businesses commissioned. Their work is closely and regularly monitored and if shortcomings are not speedily rectified the contract can be terminated. The Government ensures the GPs run a very tight financial ship – and their success will determine if the country can continue to afford an NHS largely free to all. Response by Dennis Fowle


Everyone should have a choice of where/how to receive medical treatment but I feel promoting a private hospital in thisway is biased and misleading. As far as I amaware this is a private hospital, the purpose of which is to recoup the original investment and make profit for the investors and therefore not a facility which is available to a large proportion of the population and free at point of treatment. EMGreenwood, by email


Our feature led on an item of news: the announcement that Maidstone could be the first place in Britain to have the new neuro rehabilitation village. It was also felt timely to include an update on


Kims, given the previous advance publicity, and that lile had been wrien about it since the official opening last spring. Our decision coincided with the hospital’s own announcement that it had just carried out the first open heart surgery operation – again, a legitimate news item. It is not true to say that Kims is purely a


private hospital. The whole ethos behind it was to deliver a facility available for both private and NHS patients. The hospital has gradually extended the scope of its provision and, from April, will become part of the NHS “choose and book” service, available to all. These articles were in keeping with the comprehensive coverage we give to NHS maers. Response by Stephen


Ugliest building needs help Speed camera not for safety


Dear Sir – The speed camera inWillington Street, near the Church Lane junction, is in noway there for safety. It is set after passing the School Lane junction, not approaching it. Situated at the top of the hill, traffic


slows down and once past, they increase their speed and on approaching the boom of the hill (and seeing the hill in front of them) speed up. At the boom of the hill, where there are bollards in the middle of the road and where children, pensioners, and parents with prams cross, the traffic often hits speeds of 40mph plus. I contacted KCC, the police and Maidstone Council about three years ago and suggested that if the speed camerawas set near the boom of the hill, all traffic would slow down to 30mph and increase the safety of all. Iwas informed that they would look in


to this maer and get back to me; to date, not one leer, text, email or call. It appears children, pensioners and parents with prams and wheelchair-bound people do not maer, only making money, as most speed traps do. Huge lorries, buses and large vans are the worst culprits, as they need the momentum to get up the other side. As I told the police, KCC and MBC I am


more than willing to have a site meeting to explain and show them my reason for concern. I have had no reply from any of them. Iwas told in conversation that, occasionally, a mobile speed camerawas used there and my reply was only to make money, it did nothing to slow down large lorries etc. David Bolton, Tichborne Close, Maidstone


Maidstone South March 2015 31


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