News | Health


SECamb boss resigns beforemajor surgery


THE chairman of the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has stepped downwith immediate effect.


Richard Foster joined SECAmb


in April last year, but has left his role after being advised he will need to undergo major surgery in the near future. A statement said: “This, com-


bined with the ongoing demands of his other commitments, means that he feels he is unable to devote the time that is necessary to the Trust during its continuing period of improvement.” Mr Foster, a former chief execu-


tive of the Crown Prosecution Service, replaced Sir Peter Dixon. Sir Peter had been the interim


chairman of the Trust for 12 months, replacing Tony Thorne who resigned after a controversial pilot scheme which ended up de- laying ambulances for up to 20,000 patients.


New role for chief exec


THE long-serving chief execu- tive ofMaidstone andTunbridge Wells NHS Trust has moved on to one of the top positions in the county. Glenn Douglas (pictured), who succeeded the controversial RoseGibb at the Trust, has now been appointed accountable offi- cer for the eight GP-led budget-


holdingClinicalCommissioning Groups in the county. This includesWest Kent,Ash-


ford, Canterbury and Coastal, Dartford,GraveshamandSwan- ley, Swale andMedway. He maintains his role as the


chief executive of the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, which considers the future of NHS and social services. IanAyres, the former account-


able officer forWestKent, is now managing director of Medway, North and West Kent CCGs, whileDrBobBowes has been re- appointed chairman of West Kent CCG for a third term of three years.


34 Maidstone June 2018 Julia (right) with Jinny Robinson-Bright and her daughter Betsy-Rose


MAIDSTONE midwives and mums are making the most of an app that addresses themodern-day issue of sedentary children. It’s the work of health visitor Julia Haynes, whose idea is through to


the finals of this year’s RCNi Nurse Awards. Her Born toMove NHS app has advice, tips and games to support chil-


dren’smental and physical development, in her response to serious con- cerns that a growing number of Kent children were not developmentally ready by school age. As well as securing funding to launch the app, Julia’s work also


prompted workshops across 12 Kent districts, training over 3,000 mem- bers of staff, as well as parents, about the importance of getting babies and toddlersmoving. Her work has already garnered impressive results, with a county-wide


audit showing a vast improvement in babies crawling in their first year – up from30%to 94%since the implementation of Born toMove. The awards, which recognise nurses who go above and beyond and


transform nursing practice for the better, will be presented on July 4 at the Park Plaza in London.


It had been hoped thatMr Foster


would provide much-needed sta- bility to the Trust, but that has un- fortunately proven not to be the case. He said: “I amtenderingmy res-


ignation with deep regret. It has been a difficult decision but I feel it is the right decision formyself and for the Trust at this time.” Deputy chairman Graham Col-


bert will take on the role until the Council of Governors have fol- lowed due process and decided on future arrangements. SECAmb Chief Executive Daren


Mochrie said: “On behalf of the Trust, I would like to thank Richard for his contribution during the past 12 months and wish him well, both for his forthcoming sur- gery and for the future.”


downsmail.co.uk Cancer delays


HUNDREDS of cancer patients are facing delays in receiving lifesaving treatment. NHS figures reveal almost one in


four patients urgently referred to hospital by West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group doctors have not been seen within the sug- gested time. Government targets suggest 85%


of urgent referrals should start treatmentwithin twomonths. In 2017, 76.4%ofWest Kent CCG


patientswere seenwithin that time- line, falling from78%in 2016. In total, 1,226 cancer patients in


westKentwere referred to hospital urgently, but 280 were not seen within 62 days.


Bright future


THE life expectancy at birth in Maidstone is above the county av- erage. Children born in the county town


can expect to live to an average of 82.85 years, with the county aver- age sitting at 81.7. It can vary by ward too, with


Richard Foster Baby app is in line for award


Detling and Thurnham having a rate of 89.5 – the highest in West Kent – compared to the lowest of 76.5 in BridgeWard.


GF foods cut


GPs in Maidstone and the rest of West Kent are being recommended not to prescribe gluten-free prod- ucts in the future. It is part of the drive to reduce the


money theNHS spends on “unnec- essary” prescriptions, with these products being available in stores.


Service delay


MAIDSTONE and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust has set up a teamto in- vestigate improvements in its serv- ice to patients needing to cancel or change a hospital appointment. Patients have been complaining


of long delays, which can lead to seeminglymissed appointments in hospital departments.


On the streets


MAIDSTONEhas thehighest levelof homelessness inWestKent. A study has shown that there are


2.4 homeless people for every 1,000. This compares to Tonbridge & MallingandSevenoaks,whohave the lowest in the area,with 0.5 per 1,000.


Jabs campaign A DRIVE is on to increase the up- take of child immunisations across Kent. The uptake inMaidstone and surround areas is low, so letters are being sent to parents in a bid to in- crease it.


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