South June 2015

downsmail.co.uk

‘Nothing but the best’ at school rated outstanding

A SCHOOL in Maidstone for children with special needs has been rated outstanding by Ofsted inspectors. The inspection report praises

Five Acre Wood School’s “out- standing academic and personal outcomes for pupils” and a princi- pal and governors who believe that “nothing but the best will do”. Teaching was judged to be “typ-

ically outstanding across the school”, with pupils “so well- behaved because teaching makes learning enjoyable”. Five Acre Wood caters for chil-

dren and young people with pro- found, severe and complex learning difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorder. The school is based over three

sites in Maidstone, with the main site on Boughton Lane in Loose. Two sixth-form classes and one

Coaching for

GP practices GP PRACTICES in Maidstone and West Kent are being offered coach- ing to improve their skills and knowledge in specific areas. The GP-led West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) agreed to reimburse practices partic- ipating in “clinical microsystems”, successfully introduced in other parts of the world. It aims to ensure patients receive

“the right care in the right place with the right skills the first time”. Nine West Kent practices are at

various stages of progress and six more await the availability of coaches being trained by the CCG. Classes will cover topics such as diabetes, mental health, learning dif- ficulties, cancers and pharmacy.

999 funding THE ambulance service is still fail- ing to reach key emergency targets and theCCGagreed to add £600,000 to its budget aimed at increasing ac- tivity and improving the service. Payments are made by results.

One aim of theCCGis to reduce the number of conveyances to hospitals and involves strengthened relation- ships between paramedics and GPs

First art market MAIDSTONE is launching its first indoor art market in the town’s his- toric agricultural hall. The event on Saturday September

19 is organised by MakingArtWork and is open to artists, collectives, gal- leries and art organisations.

Pupils from Five AcreWood school celebrate after the school achieved an outstanding Ofsted rating

key stage 4 class are based at Aylesford School Sports College, and there is a satellite provision at East Borough Primary School for up to 15 key stage two pupils. The report highlights that “the

school very effectively tailors the range of learning activities that it offers pupils in each phase in order to meet their specific needs” and that “pupils’ behaviour and atti-

tudes are excellent”. Principal Peggy Murphy said: “I

am delighted that the hard work and dedication that is consistently demonstrated by all of the staff, governors, parents and pupils has been verified by Ofsted. “As a school, we remain deter-

mined to continue to provide the highest quality provision to meet the needs of our amazing pupils.”

Plan aims to improve services at hospital

MAIDSTONE and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust says it is making good progress on an improvement plan for its two hospitals after a critical re- port by the Care Quality Commis- sion said it required improvement. In the report earlier this year, the

trust was given good ratings in 29 areas, 43 areas required improve- ment and sixwere inadequate. It said that although it“was disap- pointed with the overall results, the report has been welcomed and will be used to drive quality improve- ments throughout the organisation and improve services to patients.” It added: “The trust is pleased that

the caring domain was rated good throughout the trust and also with the recognition of our caring and compassionate staff.” The trust said key areas of the im-

provement plan included:  Critical care – the consultant rota has been reviewed and amended to

improve cover of critical care at weekends. There has been success- ful recruitment to the critical care outreach team and privacy and dig- nity issues in intensive care have been addressed through improved bathroom facilities.  Contracted security staff train- ing – there has been significant work in achieving the required standards of training for security staff to ensure they have the appropriate knowl- edge and skills to work safely with vulnerable patients with a range of physical and mental ill health needs.  Clinical governance framework – a comprehensive review of gover- nance has started, along with work to improve reporting and learning from incidents through a single re- porting system. This work will con- tribute to improved management of risks, enhanced patient safety and a system of clinical governance that is “clear, consistent and effective”.

Patient groups ‘need GP involvement’

THE importance of GP representation at meetings of the fast-evolving Practice Patient Groups (PPGs) was emphasised at a meeting of the GP- ledWest Kent Clinical Commissioning Group. Apublic questioner said groupswere being asked to complete returns

that required contact with and information from patients not available to them. Feedback from patients is seen as important and this will be dis- cussed at a PPG development meeting.

Starbucks moves to town centre

A STARBUCKS coffee shop is set to move in to a vacant shop at 8- 9 Colman Parade, King Street, Maidstone.

News

Brain injury help launched

BRAIN injury group Headway In West Kent has launched anewdrop- in service atTrinity Foyer, 20 Church Road, Maidstone. The drop-in offers a social space

for adultswhohave been affected by a brain injury. Visitors are welcome to come in for a drink and a chat with people with similar life experi- ences or sit quietly to read a news- paper. Families, carers and friends are alsowelcome. Information will be available, with

staff and volunteers giving advice and signposting alternative Head- way services and external organisa- tions. The only cost is a small donation for refreshments. Sessions will take place from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Thursdays.

Choir sings

the classics INDEPENDENCE Day in Maid- stone will get a rousing send-off when Maidstone Choral Union unites in song on July 4. Carmina Burana, a firm favourite

with audiences and an important part of classic repertoire, will be pre- sented by the choir at All Saints’ Church. The choir will also be singing a selection of American songs to mark Independence Day. The concert starts at 7.30pm and

tickets are £12 (half price for stu- dents) from Freda Crispin, 01622 726193 or send an email to freda@me169lb.fsnet.co.uk. They will also be available on the door and, from June 6, from Maidstone Museum Visitors’ Centre.

Midsummer music

THERE is an opportunity to enjoy music at the United Reformed Church in Maidstone. Concerts lined up include the

Tamarisk String Quartet’s rags and tangos on June 10; tenor Martin Hindmarsh and mezzo soprano Jen- nifer Westwood on June 17 and Maidstone GrammarSchool on June 24. The church inWeek Street opens at 12.30pm and admission is free.

Chair re-elected

DR Bob Bowes (Tunbridge Wells) was re-elected for a three-year term as chairman of West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group. Dr Stefano Santini (Coxheath)

has been selected to fill a vacancy and is now one of 12 GPs on the governing body.

Football date

THE Staplehurst Monarchs are hosting a five-a-side tournament in Staplehurst as part of the PTA fair on Saturday, June 20. Entry is £10 per team, which should be handed in to Staplehurst school.

Maidstone South June 2015 29

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16 | Page 17 | Page 18 | Page 19 | Page 20 | Page 21 | Page 22 | Page 23 | Page 24 | Page 25 | Page 26 | Page 27 | Page 28 | Page 29 | Page 30 | Page 31 | Page 32 | Page 33 | Page 34 | Page 35 | Page 36 | Page 37 | Page 38 | Page 39 | Page 40 | Page 41 | Page 42 | Page 43 | Page 44 | Page 45 | Page 46 | Page 47 | Page 48