News
Hospital gets a good report
WATCHDOGS have given Maid- stone Hospital a clean bill of health but made recommendations to en- sure patients are more comfortable. Healthwatchkent’s survey shows
that 97% of users felt they had been given the full attention of staff and their privacy had been respected. More than 80% of users said the in- formation they received was clear and easy to understand, while 70% felt they had been involved in the decisions about their care. Levels of satisfactionwere gener-
ally higher in Maidstone than at Tunbridge Wells. The body sent teams to both Maidstone and Tun- bridgeWells hospitals to talk to pa- tients about their experiences of using the NHS services provided there. But Healthwatchkent – an inde- pendent voice for local people on health matters – did make several recommendations for Maidstone to consider. It suggests signs to clinics and toilet facilities are clear, visible and easy to follow, especially to the visually-impaired.Appointment let-
ters should include details about parking and patients should be given information “consistently” about waiting times. Temperatures in the waiting areas should be con- trolled, with entrance doors kept open in hot weather, and a drinks machine should also be considered, the watchdog said. The hospital should also consider wheelchair spaces in the waiting areas, to min- imise obstruction to patient flows. Healthwatchkent’s report states: “The clinicswere clean and tidy. Ob- servations by some patients were that the waiting area could do with being ‘a bit more cheery’, especially for patients with a longerwait. “Therewere plenty of posters and information around the waiting areas. There was a drinking foun- tain, toilets and some light reading material available.” The watchdog sent a team of six volunteers on “enter and view” vis- its, where they met with the head of outpatients and the deputy chief nurse and spoke to 73 patients at both hospitals.
downsmail.co.uk Megan’s charity ball
A BARMING family is arranging a fund-raising ball for research into Crohn’s disease. Megan Hyndman (25), who was diagnosed with the condition at 18,
hopes the social event will help find a cure for the life-long condition. Her parents Vivienne and
Dean, fromBarming Heath, and her friend Gabrielle Collins, pictured with Megan, are helping to arrange the event at Oakwood House in Maidstone. Last Christmas, Megan, who
works inWateringbury, was in Maidstone Hospital recovering froman operation to remove a metre of her small intestine. Her treatment prompted her to start raising money for the Crohn’s and Colitis UK charity, with boot fairs and a cake competition. She also took part in a 7k run at Knole House in August, raising more than £1,000. The ball, on Saturday, March 11, will include a live band, three-course
meal and a glass of wine aswell as a raffle and an auction. Tickets are £50
fromviviennehyndman@aol.com, 01622 721016, or
www.chronscharityball.co.uk.
Drugs charge teen is in court
ATEENAGERfrom Maidstone has been given a community service order for assault and intent to supply cannabis in Tonbridge. Mike Divuilu, from Church Street, appeared at Mid Kent Magistrates’
Court on December 26.Headmitted possessing cannabis with intent to sup- ply and assaulting a man.Hewas ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work and to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
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