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Celebrating our volunteers

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 16:13:52 +0000

Celebrating our volunteers

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With Volunteers Week underway, we’ve been celebrating the amazing volunteers who support Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW). The Trust currently has 248 active volunteers and together, they give an incredible 744 hours of their time each week to support our patients and staff. Our volunteers comfort and support patients and their families, providing […]

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With Volunteers Week underway, we’ve been celebrating the amazing volunteers who support Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW).

The Trust currently has 248 active volunteers and together, they give an incredible 744 hours of their time each week to support our patients and staff.

Our volunteers comfort and support patients and their families, providing directions and information as well as pastoral and emotional support. Volunteers also support staff by acting as an extra pair of hands and freeing them up to prioritise clinical care. They provide support in over 25 roles across the Trust, including Macmillan, chaplaincy, end of life care and PAT (Pets as Therapy), as well as the Leagues of Friends at both hospitals.

Volunteers can also provide companionship for those patients needing additional support, including the people we care for on our frailty wards. Dementia Nurse Practitioner, Rudi Sison, said: “Volunteers can play a significant role in supporting patients with cognitive impairments, including those diagnosed with dementia and delirium. They can engage patients in meaningful activities that can enrich the patient’s everyday experience of living with an illness.”

As part of Volunteers Week, we spoke to members of the team who shared their experiences of being a volunteer at the Trust, what it involves and the difference it has made to their lives.

Eddie Walker – Meet and Greet Volunteer

As a Meet and Greet Volunteer, my main duties are greeting patients and visitors, and helping them find their way around the hospital to attend their appointments. My role also includes refilling mask and hand gel dispensers by the hospital entrances and making sure there are enough wheelchairs available.

Before retiring in 2007, I worked for a computer company as a service engineer visiting banks and commercial companies in London, so I was used to meeting lots of different people.

I have been a volunteer for MTW for almost a year now, and absolutely love being part of the team.

I wish I had become a volunteer 10 years ago. It is very rewarding and people are so grateful for the time you spend with them.

Sue Simpson – SWAN Volunteer

As a SWAN volunteer, I support patients who have reached the end of their life by providing bedside companionship, respite for family and friends when they need to leave the room, and emotional support for patients and their loved ones. I am also a voice for the dying patient if they are alone and need an advocate.

I spent three weeks in Maidstone Hospital ICU while my father was dying, and a few years later my mother was discharged from the hospital into my care when she asked to die at home. Both experiences influenced my decision to become a SWAN volunteer.

I was a bit nervous before my first ‘meet ‘n’ greet’ shift in November but now I love pointing patients in the right direction for their appointments, or chatting to them while the stress of parking their car slowly ebbs away. I’ve already learnt that volunteering isn’t a one-way street; life seems a little better if you can help someone.

The Maidstone SWANs are a new team – I wish a SWAN had been around when I was the exhausted loved one sitting by a bedside all those years ago.

David Little – Macmillan Cancer Support Volunteer

I retired just under three years ago, having worked as a construction underwriter for most of my career, and began volunteering. I joined the Macmillan Cancer Support team in the Oncology department at Maidstone Hospital six month ago.

Our duties as Macmillan volunteers include providing emotional support to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer or are going through cancer treatment, and their families. We also offer guidance on other support available, such as blue badges or the Macmillan grant.

In addition, I get involved with all sorts of ad hoc tasks such as raffles, tombolas, coffee mornings, planting roses, etc. Every afternoon there are different but rewarding challenges to overcome.

Volunteering is a great thing to get involved in, you meet so many different people. It is a cliché but I wanted to give something back to society and I have the free time to do it, so why not!

The Macmillan volunteer role can be tough – a lot of the conversations we have with patients and their loved ones are not easy, so you have to be very resilient and a good listener. But it is so rewarding. I go home tired, yet knowing that I have contributed in my small way to helping someone who may have just been given difficult news. The team at Macmillan are amazing. They have made me feel so welcome. Everyone works together as a team and you can always ask for help or get a second opinion.

Joan Finn – League of Friends Volunteer

I truly enjoy volunteering at the Trust because it gives me a reason to get up, get dressed and get out of the house. It’s fun meeting all the customers that come to the League of Friends shop.

Being a volunteer means I feel I’m doing some good by putting something back into society. Volunteering gives me a purpose.

The team of volunteers I work with are all nice, caring and helpful, we have barrels of fun and I constantly have a smile on my face.

To find out more about volunteering at MTW, contact the Voluntary Services team at mtw-tr.volunteers@nhs.net

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Hospital awards celebrate staff stars

Tue, 28 May 2024 09:56:48 +0000

Hospital awards celebrate staff stars

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The fantastic work of staff and volunteers across Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) was celebrated at the Trust’s Exceptional People, Outstanding Care Star Awards on Friday 24 May. The 10 award categories reflect the Trust’s values and recognise the outstanding contribution of staff in delivering compassionate care. Among those honoured this year were […]

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The fantastic work of staff and volunteers across Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) was celebrated at the Trust’s Exceptional People, Outstanding Care Star Awards on Friday 24 May.

The 10 award categories reflect the Trust’s values and recognise the outstanding contribution of staff in delivering compassionate care. Among those honoured this year were pharmacists, nurses, doctors and support staff.

Miles Scott, Trust Chief Executive, said: “MTW is one of the best performing hospital trusts in the country in a number of key areas and this is down to the hard work of so many brilliant colleagues.

“We know there is more work to do but there is also a great deal to be proud of and this was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the commitment, innovation and team work shown by so many people every day.”

This year a record 560 nominations were submitted by staff, patients and members of the public in eight categories.

The Star Award categories and winners for 2024 are:

Patient First

For staff who go beyond normal expectations to care for patients with exceptional kindness, dignity and respect, showing the Trust commitment to putting our patients first in everything we do.

Winner – Becky Hankin, Learning Disability Nurse

 

Respect

For staff who champion equality, diversity and inclusion and embody the MTW values.

Winner – Helen Burn, Deputy Chief Pharmacist

Innovation

Awarded to an individual or team who demonstrate a drive for continuous improvement, innovative thinking and willingness to embrace change and share ideas.

Winner – Alastair Henderson, Consultant Urologist and Clinical Lead

Delivery

This award recognises a support team whose work plays a key role in supporting MTW to deliver outstanding care and service to patients, staff and visitors.

Winner – Kent and Medway Endoscopy Training Hub

Excellence

An award that recognises excellence in leadership. A leader may not necessarily be a manager, but someone who displays behaviours that inspire others to achieve, demonstrates vision, and educates, mentors or supports others to help them develop their skills.

Winner – Brittany Buckwell-Boomsma

Team of the Year

For a team that may have faced challenges and pressure but continued to deliver, working together to maintain care, quality or performance and contributing to our outstanding care vision.

Winner – Care After Death team

Volunteer of the Year

For a volunteer who makes a real difference to a patient, relative, colleague or team through their community spirited commitment to supporting their local hospital.

Winner – Kate Hart Dyke

Hospital Hero

A staff superstar whose drive, enthusiasm, care and humour inspires and supports those around them.

Winner – Dr Jennifer Weeks, breast clinician

Employee of the Year

The Employee of the Year is selected by the judging panel from staff awarded Employee of the Month. (Employee of the Month provides an opportunity for any MTW member of staff or a volunteer to be recognised for their efforts.)

Winner – Glen Place, Stroke Unit Healthcare Support Worker

Chairman’s Award

This award recognises an exceptional member of staff or a team who have made an exemplary contribution to our ‘Exceptional people, outstanding care’ vision and have helped develop real change across the Trust. The winner is chosen by the Trust Chair.

Winner – Katie Campbell, Head of Clinical Coding

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Maternity experts volunteer in Uganda

Fri, 17 May 2024 09:34:03 +0000

Maternity experts volunteer in Uganda

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A volunteer team of midwives, an obstetric nurse and a nursery nurse have returned from Uganda, after spending 18 days volunteering their time and skills at two different health centres. The team used their annual leave to visit the country and share their knowledge and expertise with local clinicians. During the visit they were involved […]

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A volunteer team of midwives, an obstetric nurse and a nursery nurse have returned from Uganda, after spending 18 days volunteering their time and skills at two different health centres. The team used their annual leave to visit the country and share their knowledge and expertise with local clinicians.

During the visit they were involved in antenatal education, labour and delivery care, as well as immunisation and some postnatal care. They were also invited to attend a health initiative talking to a group of teenagers about sex education, menstruation and self-care, and pregnancy education.

In an environment where electronic equipment isn’t always readily available, the group got back to basics using pinard stethoscopes to listen to babies’ heartbeats and palpations to find their positions. They also spent time sharing ideas for ongoing learning around resuscitation and more regular observations throughout a patient’s stay.

Challenges faced by Ugandan women include difficulties in reaching health facilities, lack of financial support, concerns around discrimination and lack of privacy. Only 57% of pregnant women access antenatal care more than four times, and just half access any kind of postnatal care. Around one in four births take place without a skilled practitioner present.

When a woman gives birth in hospital in Uganda, she and her family are responsible for supplying anything that might be required for their labour and birth, so the team spent time fundraising before the trip. They sourced sanitary products and newborn and feeding supplies, and used money raised to purchase pain relief drugs, iron supplements, blood pressure machines, pinards, stethoscopes, gloves, swabs and needles, to name just a few.

The trip was organised by Tanya Freeman, Delivery Suite Ward Manager at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) and Founder of Women and Children of Africa, the non-profit organisation that facilitates the placements.

Tanya was accompanied by midwives, Georgina Ruxton, Cathy Baker and Rachel Kirkpatrick; Obstetric Nurse, Immaculate Nakatudde; and Nursery Nurse, Bryony Taylor.

Tanya said, “I’m passionate about doing what I can to make a difference to the lives of women and children in Africa, and am grateful that so many of my colleagues at MTW feel the same and are willing to share their time and skills to improve healthcare for those less fortunate than ourselves.

“Volunteering goes both ways, and while we do this with the sole purpose of giving what we can, we always come away with so much ourselves, in terms of the experiences that we gain and the life-long friends that we make.”

Tanya is organising a trip to Ghana in October, and will be returning to Uganda next year.

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Celebrating our nurses and midwives

Mon, 13 May 2024 15:53:14 +0000

Celebrating our nurses and midwives

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Every year on International Day of the Midwife (5 May) and International Nurses Day (12 May) we celebrate the enormous contribution our nursing and midwifery professionals make across our hospitals and in our communities. These two days give us an opportunity to reflect on the dedication and expertise of our diverse and highly skilled workforce, […]

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Every year on International Day of the Midwife (5 May) and International Nurses Day (12 May) we celebrate the enormous contribution our nursing and midwifery professionals make across our hospitals and in our communities.

These two days give us an opportunity to reflect on the dedication and expertise of our diverse and highly skilled workforce, and the difference our nursing and midwifery teams make to patients and families every day. They are an opportunity to celebrate all our colleagues for their expertise, compassion and dedication to delivering the highest standards of care.

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Stroke survivor takes fundraising to new heights

Mon, 06 May 2024 11:31:02 +0000

Stroke survivor takes fundraising to new heights

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A hospital volunteer who suffered a life changing brain haemorrhage which left her in a coma is taking on an abseil challenge to raise money for the hospital that cared for her. In 2018, Kate was about to start her new job as a deputy headteacher at a primary school when she suffered a brain […]

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A hospital volunteer who suffered a life changing brain haemorrhage which left her in a coma is taking on an abseil challenge to raise money for the hospital that cared for her.

In 2018, Kate was about to start her new job as a deputy headteacher at a primary school when she suffered a brain haemorrhage. She was rushed by ambulance from Tunbridge Wells Hospital to King’s College Hospital and was in a coma for more than two weeks. Kate underwent 16 hours of brain surgery, and though it was successful in treating the bleed on her brain, she lost the use of the left side of her body and was worried she would never be mobile again.

Kate describes her fear that life would never be the same: “I was an anxious person before my stroke, and would never travel too far or take any risks. When I woke up after surgery, I was scared that there were so many things I had never done and would never be able to do.”

After her operation by the specialist team at King’s, Kate left hospital in a wheelchair and came back to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) for her rehabilitation where she was treated by Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy teams.

Three months of hard work with the neurological physiotherapists led to Kate’s recovery. She is now up and walking, and is even booked in to abseil down the side of Tunbridge Wells Hospital in June as part of the MTW Hospitals Charity fundraising event.

Kate is dedicating her abseil to MTW’s Physiotherapy team, and hopes that the money she raises will fund extra equipment and resources to help other stroke patients. She said: “Without the support of the teams at MTW, I wouldn’t even be walking, let alone taking on an abseil! I cannot thank the physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors and nurses enough. We are so lucky to have such incredible staff at our hospitals and in the community.”

Reflecting on her experience, Kate said: “Before my stroke, I would never have considered doing something as challenging as an abseil, but the whole experience has taught me that life is too short and that you should take opportunities when you can.

“I want to let anybody who has experienced a stroke, or any kind of medical emergency, know that recovery is possible and there is life on the other side. I am living my life to the full thanks to the wonderful teams at King’s and MTW, and want to inspire others to do the same wherever possible.”

Kate is one of over 100 people taking on the 100ft Abseil Challenge at Tunbridge Wells Hospital on Saturday 15 June, and has set up a JustGiving fundraising page to raise money for MTW Hospitals Charity.

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New facilities for top performing Stroke Unit

Fri, 03 May 2024 13:24:22 +0000

New facilities for top performing Stroke Unit

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The Stroke Unit at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) is providing some of the best facilities in the region, following the development of a new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) and Acute Stroke Unit (ASU). Located at Maidstone Hospital, the new stroke facilities were officially opened by Dame Tracey Crouch DBE, MP for […]

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The Stroke Unit at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) is providing some of the best facilities in the region, following the development of a new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) and Acute Stroke Unit (ASU).

Located at Maidstone Hospital, the new stroke facilities were officially opened by Dame Tracey Crouch DBE, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, on Friday 3 May. Dame Tracey was joined at the event by Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England National Medical Director.

The new HASU is the first of three specialist units to open in Kent and Medway, and provides capacity for 14 beds. It is also home to a dedicated Stroke Assessment Bay, where 90% of suspected stroke admissions are directly brought in on arrival at the hospital. This means patients do not need to go through the Emergency Department first, and can quickly receive the care they need in the right place at the right time. The Stroke Assessment Bay is the first of its kind in the Kent and Medway region.

Together with the newly developed ASU, which provides 35 beds, the Trust’s Stroke Unit now has capacity to care for over 1,000 patients a year, an increase of 30% since 2019.

Further improvements to the Stroke Unit include dedicated rehabilitation areas to support patient recovery through physio and activities, and a quiet room which was co-designed with stroke survivors and their families.

Speaking of the benefits the new facilities will bring to the region, Dame Tracey said: “As one of the top performing Stroke Units in England, the development of MTW’s stroke services ensures patients in our local communities can continue to receive some of the highest quality stroke care in the country. The new facilities are a great example of how MTW is continually focusing on developing services and improving patient care.”

Addressing the many benefits that HASUs provide, Professor Sir Stephen said: “HASUs are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and their aim is to consolidate the existing stroke resources across the region in order to meet national best practice standards. This means that everyone treated for stroke in Kent and Medway will receive consistently high-quality care, regardless of where they live in the region, or what time of the day or night their stroke occurs.”

Chief Executive for MTW, Miles Scott, said: “I am delighted we are now able to provide an environment for Stroke patients which reflects the quality of care provided by Stroke colleagues on a daily basis. I am also grateful to our Stroke teams, who have continued to deliver a full service during the building works and maintained consistently outstanding care to our patients throughout.”

The Trust’s new Stroke Unit was featured in a BBC South East news report that aired on Monday 6 May.

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Chief Nursing Officer awards for healthcare support workers

Fri, 03 May 2024 11:45:37 +0000

Chief Nursing Officer awards for healthcare support workers

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The dedication of nine healthcare support workers (HCSWs) has been recognised in NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Midwifery Officer awards. Annette Farrell and Debbie Knight from NHS England (South East) visited Maidstone Hospital, part of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) to present the awards, which are highly coveted in the nursing […]

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The dedication of nine healthcare support workers (HCSWs) has been recognised in NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Midwifery Officer awards.

Annette Farrell and Debbie Knight from NHS England (South East) visited Maidstone Hospital, part of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) to present the awards, which are highly coveted in the nursing profession. The awards are presented every year to a small number of healthcare support workers in recognition of their compassion, dedication and demonstration of NHS values.

HCSWs support clinicians to deliver high quality care for patients, from helping with personal care and ensuring patients’ comfort to recording observations. Working at the heart of clinical settings, HCSWs make a real difference to patient experience and play an integral role in their care.

Chief Nurse, Jo Haworth, who attended the event, said: “I was delighted to see our healthcare support workers presented with such prestigious awards in recognition of their work and commitment. Healthcare support workers are crucial to the NHS and to us here at MTW; they make invaluable contributions to teams across our wards and departments. Through our Nursing and Midwifery strategy we are striving to ensure our workforce are skilled, kind and proud – qualities that are embodied by our deserving award winners.”

Congratulations to our winners:

• Maxine Anderson – Pye Oliver ward
• Samrat Gurung – Edith Cavell ward
• Smiritee Purkayastha – Pye Oliver ward
• Lorraine Macro – Short Stay Unit
• Daiva Zelskiene – Infusion Suite
• Karen Fogg – Infection Control
• Georgia Pinder – Mercer ward
• Marlon Quijano – ITU
• Rebecca Hicks – Staff Bank

To find out more about joining our exceptional nursing teams as a healthcare support worker, visit www.mtwcareers.com or email mtw-tr.attraction@nhs.net for details of our next recruitment event.

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100,000 register for patient portal in six months

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:58:35 +0000

100,000 register for patient portal in six months

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Since launching in November last year, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s (MTW) patient portal – Patients Know Best (PKB) – has been helping users access their health information on their phones, computers and tablets and take advantage of a host of features. This includes perks such as being able to view outpatient letters online […]

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Since launching in November last year, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s (MTW) patient portal – Patients Know Best (PKB) – has been helping users access their health information on their phones, computers and tablets and take advantage of a host of features.

This includes perks such as being able to view outpatient letters online instantly, being able to request to amend appointments and receive notifications, all of which can save time calling into MTW’s administrative teams.

After only being live for six months, the portal already has over 100,000 patients registered for the free service. One of those is retired teacher and RSPCA volunteer, Jane Stoneham from Maidstone, who has been using the PKB portal ever since having an accident back in February.

Jane said: “I signed up to the Patients Know Best portal after hearing about it from a relative. I did this quickly and easily using the NHS app which I had some experience using during COVID and via my GP surgery. I hadn’t needed a hospital visit for many years but thought it would be useful to sign up so I had it if I ever needed and thought it would be useful in the future to have all my health information everything in one place. And I was very pleased I did as I broke my leg in an accident and was treated at Tunbridge Wells Hospital earlier this year.

After leaving hospital, Jane went to stay with her daughter to help with her recovery and was initially worried she might miss any further correspondence about her ongoing treatment through the post. However, already being signed up to the portal she was able to access all her letters instantly.

She said: “I could view my scheduled outpatient appointments on the app which was incredibly helpful as I was not at my home address and I would have missed these appointment letters in the post or I would have had the extra stress of arranging a friend or relative to go and collect my post. I usually visit relatives for several weeks each year so knowing I can access some of my health information so easily, wherever I am, even out of the country, is really useful to me and many others I’m sure.

“Knowing that I could also request to cancel or rebook my appointment via the portal, without having to call into the hospital is very helpful as I know the hospital phone lines can get very busy, so I feel like using the portal is helping them while also saving myself time.”

In addition to all her appointment information and discharge summary, the portal also provides general information on the hospitals such as guidance on parking so Jane could plan ahead about where best to park and be dropped off – something particularly helpful to reduce the number of steps needed with her injury.

The benefit of patients being able to read appointment letters online is also helping MTW reduce its postage costs and carbon emissions – already saving nearly 5,000kg in carbon output. Approximately the same amount a car would use driving across the entire circumference of the world.

Jane added: “I would encourage everyone to sign up to the PKB portal – it has really helped me, it’s so simple to use and the features it offers means the hospital can book more patients in to cancelled appointments and get us all the care we need quickly”

More than 14,000 patients are now using the portal regularly every week, with all the registration info and FAQ’s available on our website. A special video has also been developed to demonstrate the interface of the portal and highlighting the many benefits.

Please note, the portal is only compatible with outpatient appointments for those over the age of 18. Further benefits and services are currently being developed.

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Crowborough Breastfeeding Café celebrates first birthday

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:08:13 +0000

Crowborough Breastfeeding Café celebrates first birthday

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The Crowborough Breastfeeding Café is celebrating its first full year of providing much-needed local infant feeding support for parents and caregivers. Over 800 people and their babies from Sussex, Kent and Surrey have attended, with many returning regularly for skilled and compassionate feeding support, and the opportunity to spend time with other parents over a […]

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The Crowborough Breastfeeding Café is celebrating its first full year of providing much-needed local infant feeding support for parents and caregivers. Over 800 people and their babies from Sussex, Kent and Surrey have attended, with many returning regularly for skilled and compassionate feeding support, and the opportunity to spend time with other parents over a cup of tea and some cake.

Run by staff from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, who manage the birthing centre, the café has become a valued source of support for the local community. Parents have shared how the café has helped them to make improvements to their feeding technique and routine, and how people can support their partners with feeding. One mum said her breastfeeding may not have continued without the café.

Maternity Support Worker, Laura Scarlett, and Infant Feeding Lead, Sally Sidhu, who run the café say they have been blown away by the café’s success. “We know that there are mums who want to breastfeed, but often don’t feel supported to do so. The café provides time, space and ongoing specialist guidance to help women learn the skills they need to feed their babies in the way they wish.”

Crucially important are peer supporters (trained volunteers from the local community) who are there each week to provide mother-to-mother support. Many peer supporters were already established breastfeeding specialists, while others decided they wanted to give something back after attending the café and receiving advice and guidance themselves.

Peer Supporter, Nicola Gooding, explains: “I’ve overcome so much on my feeding journey because of the support I’ve had here, and I hope I can help other mums to see that it’s worth persevering. It’s so rewarding to see a new parent grow in confidence over the weeks and know I’ve played a tiny part in their journey.”

This free café, funded by The Friends of Crowborough Hospital, takes place from 9am – 12pm every Thursday morning at the Crowborough Hospital Day Centre. There is no need to book and parking is free, with refreshments provided.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a peer supporter, please email laura.scarlett@nhs.net.

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High performing hospital trust announces new chair

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:22:12 +0000

High performing hospital trust announces new chair

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Dr Annette Doherty OBE FRSC has been announced as the new Chair of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW). Dr Doherty has 35 years of international experience working in the pharmaceutical sector and has been directly involved in the research, development and launch of new medicines in respiratory, infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory conditions. […]

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Dr Annette Doherty OBE FRSC has been announced as the new Chair of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW).

Dr Doherty has 35 years of international experience working in the pharmaceutical sector and has been directly involved in the research, development and launch of new medicines in respiratory, infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory conditions. She is also President Elect of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The new Chair said: “This is an exciting opportunity and I am delighted to be joining the fantastic team at MTW, and an organisation which is recognised as a top performing acute trust in a number of key areas.

“I’m looking forward to working with colleagues and partners across the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System and the Kent and Medway Medical School as we deliver a number of ambitious projects which will provide real improvements in patient care. These include the official openings of both the new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit and the Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre, the development of services at the recently acquired Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital site and the completion of a new academic teaching building.”

Dr Doherty will take over from David Highton, who completes his term of office at the end of April, after seven years as Chair.

Miles Scott, Chief Executive at MTW, said: “I am delighted Dr Doherty is joining the Trust. Her experience in the pharmaceutical sector and in leadership roles both within the NHS and across a range of sectors, will provide a fresh insight and focus for MTW as we continue to develop services and improve care for our local communities.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank David Highton, our outgoing Chair. Not only for the important role he has played in the Trust’s improvement journey in recent years, but for the support and leadership he has provided to both myself and the Board.”

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Source: mtw.nhs.uk