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ent health regulator, the Care Qual- ity Commission, declared the Benover Road surgery (pictured) inadequate in two key areas – safety and leadership. Professor Steve Field, who in- spected the practice on behalf of the CQC in January, found the surgery to be effective, caring and respon- sive. But he found issues in the dis- pensary, where there were instances of medicines not being managed, recorded and dispensed in line with current guidance and legislation. He also found that records con- taining confidential patient infor- mation were not held securely so that only authorised staff could gain access to them and was also concerned that the practice had not carried out a risk assessment or tests for legionella. The surgery has condemned the
Popular surgery told to improve Patients back
medical recordswere not locked up at night – and our habit of pinning back fire doors when a room is in use – ‘without having an appropri- ate protocol on fire door manage- ment’.
“Since all the doors in the build-
seen better patient feedback.” Professor Field accepted the prac-
report as a “stressful nonsense” and senior partner DrAnthony Fin- cham said: “We scored good on all aspects of patient care. In fact, the inspectors said they had seldom
Winemakers
scoop awards TWO wine producers from the re- gion raised a glass to their own suc- cess at the Taste of KentAwards. Hush Heath at Staplehurst – pro-
ducer of the country’s most exclu- sive pink fizz – took the Kent Countryside Award after judges praised the business for its “incred- ible attention to detail and real care for the landscape” at the awards night at the Detling Showground. Also taking the honourswas Nick
Hall, whose Herbert Hall Brut 2013 Traditional Method sparkling wine was runner-up in the KentWine of the Year category. The handmade sparkling wine,
which is on sale at retailers includ- ing Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum and Mason, is produced in Marden from estate-grown organic chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. The judge noted: “This is very
well balanced, with fresh bright notes and a touch of cobnut and honey. It is better than a lot of cham- pagnes I have tasted.” Nick Hall said: “I was surprised
that we were the only sparkling wine among the three finalists. As winemakers we were all pleased to receive some local recognition.” The other finalist was Ortega,
from Biddenden Vineyards and the winner was Bacchus, produced by Chapel Down Vineyard, Tenterden.
32 Maidstone South April 2016
tice had good facilities and was well-equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. Those patients in- terviewed said they were treated with compassion, dignity and re- spect and that they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. The inspector applauded the practice for working closely with other organisations and the local community in planning how serv- ices were provided to help ensure that they met people’s needs. Dr Fincham said: “The two cate-
gories in which we were deemed inadequate were safety – relating mainly to the fact that old paper
ings are fire doors, the reasons be- hind this are obvious – people sometimes like to see each other and communicate!” He added: “We now have an ap- propriate protocol and have or- dered locking shutters to encase the old medical records, which we sel- dom use but are duty-bound to store for the NHS.” He added: “The second category
in which we were deemed inade- quate on was leadership – this was mainly because our staff folders were kept in two separate places, rather than all being kept in the same filing cabinet. Needless to say, this fault has been rectified.” If the surgery can prove it has
made the necessary changes within the next six months, all categories will be upgraded to good, without the need for a follow-up inspection.
YALDING doctors’ surgery has been deemed in need of improvement – despite it performing above the local and national average. An inspector from the independ-
GP service THENationalGPPatient Survey re- sults published in July 2015 showed the Yalding practice was performing above the local and national averages. Of patients surveyed, 87%
found it easy to get through to the surgery by phone, compared to a CCG average of 76% and a na- tional average of 73. It was found that 95%were able to get an ap- pointment to see or speak to someone the last time they tried (CCG average 89%,national aver- age 85%) and 93% of respon- dents to the GP patient survey described the overall experience of their GP surgery as fairly good or very good, compared with the na- tional average of 85%. Nine out of10patients said they
would recommend their GP sur- gery (CCG average 81%, national average 78%).
Volunteers plea to boost profile of river
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help turn the Maidstone stretch of the Medway into a tourism draw. The Maidstone River Parkwas one
of a lasting legacy of projects, funded partly by the National Lot- tery to celebrate the Millennium and comprises a 10km walk along the river, from Teston Country Park to Allington. Raising the profile of the river
Medway in Maidstone and the range of activities centred around it was a key part of the council’s desti- nation management plan (DMP). Now, a group of individuals had-
taken up the reins and set up a trust, but they need more practical help. The Maidstone River Park Trust is
a volunteer community group, but the trustees hope to establish a com- munity interest company to support its activities longer-term.
Chairman Ian Tucker said: “Our
aim is to make the river an attraction in its own right and an important part of the visitor experience in Maidstone.” Volunteers fromthe trust will work
closely with the Environment Agency, Kent County Council, Maid- stone Council and others to main- tain and promote “the borough’s greatest natural asset”, according to Mr Tucker.
The environment agency has of-
fered to clean up the section of the river between Teston and Allington Lock and the group is now looking for community support to carry out a five-day clean-up along the banks between Lockmeadow and What- man Park. The River Park Project has already
been allocated £1min funding from Maidstone Council to create a cycle path the length of the river, linking Barming and Allington, which will in- clude a cycle hub at Lockmeadow. The Medway Valley Countryside
Partnership, which is dedicated to environmental conservation in Maid- stone and Malling, will also play a part in the project. Anyone who would like to get in-
volved can contact the group via the website or email info@maidstoner-
iverpark.co.uk.
Openweekend at sports club Tombola appeal
HEADCORN Cricket and Tennis club is holding an openweekend to attract new members to play or just enjoy the facilities. Visitors can go along to the club
from 10am to 4pm on May 15 and 16 to try out the facilities and enjoy refreshments. Equipment and coaching will be provided. The cricket season starts in May and the club runs two teams on a
Saturday. They are also hoping to have friendly games on Sundays. Tennis is played all year round
on three floodlit hard courts, which can be used at any time. There are club nights on Tuesdays and Fri- days, when the bar is available. For details call Mike Donnelly on
07778 304129, Christine Brunger on 01622 890560 and Richard and Katherin Daking on 01622 850652.
FRIENDS of Headcorn church are appealing for prizes for their tombola stall for church funds. Bottles of wine, beer and spirits
are welcome as are sweets and chocolates. Donations can be taken to Sweet William Florist in Oak Lane or left in the basket at the back of the church. For more information email
jenny@muntonline.com.
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