Previous Governor and Engagement Events
May 2023 Update
On 26 January our Research team held a focus group to give people the chance to join a discussion about research with the aim of helping to improve health care for them and future patients.
Laura Adams, Patient and Public Engagement and Involvement facilitator for Research and Innovation, said ‘We want to do focus groups so we can create a research future that is decided with our community. Evidence shows that involving the people who the research is aimed at in the decisions or design leads to better outcomes. It is important that the research care we deliver is what the community wants and needs.’
At the focus group, participants heard from the Research Team sharing an overview of the project and the main outcomes from the survey and feedback they have collected. There was also an opportunity for discussion in order gather ideas, and to discuss other aspects of research.
There have also been a host of other community events over the past few months; the Trust held the Medway Voluntary Action’s ‘Year of Listening’ coffee morning on Friday 3 February to support World Cancer Day, and our Bowel Cancer Screening Team held an engagement stand in the hospital Atrium in May.
Some teams have also visited community groups to talk about important issues; our Breast Screening Team attended The Net Community Hub in Walderslade in February, and our Dieticians visited Multiple Sclerosis Swale.
We have also attended a number of community events, including the Preparation for Adulthood Fair at Medway Park in March, and the Riverside English Festival at the Riverside Country Park in Rainham in April.
In addition to all of this, we have been holding our usual engagement stands; in February and May we attended the Drill Hall University Library with Blue, one of our ever-popular therapy dogs. The visits were welcomed by students who were keen to learn about our Trust membership, and have a cuddle with Blue. We also returned to ASDA Gillingham for our second visit this year
January 2023 Update
In December we held our last public event of 2022; Strategies and Winter Planning. Our Chief Executive, Jayne Black welcomed the virtual and in person attendees to the event. She introduced Benn Best, Divisional Director of Operations for Planned Care, and Dr Graeme Sanders, Divisional Medical Director, to talk about Medway’s Elective Journey - including waiting lists, clinical priorities and cancer performance.
They were then joined by Chris Parokkaran, Acute and Emergency Medicine Clinical Director, and Cliff Evans, Consultant Nurse to talk about the Trust’s approach to Winter Planning - covering the Acute Medical Model, the new Frailty Unit and ambulance handover times.
The presentation sparked a number of questions and a discussion, after which Jayne Black thanked everyone for attending.
In January a number of governors attended the Sheppey Frailty Unit, to share the news about the upcoming opening, and gather some valuable feedback and views from patients.
There were some very positive comments, with most people we spoke to saying how good it was that local frail patients needing hospital admission would have the opportunity to be cared for closer to home.
Governors have also been attending regular engagement stands both at the hospital, and also in the community – in January we visited Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre with our Trust Research Team, and also ASDA in Gillingham. We will be continuing these stands regularly throughout the year both on site and in the community.
November 2022 Update
Over £500 was raised thanks to colleagues and hundreds of members of our community attending the Summer Fun Day on 11 August. Visitors took part in the various activities on offer and purchased goodies from our food stall and pre-loved toys and books sale.
The weather was lovely and there was a wonderful community spirit at the event. As well as bringing a real sense of fun to the hospital, it also helped to raise awareness of the many charities that support the Trust.
We were visited by Superman and Superwoman, and had performances from local group All Star Performers and our very own Sona. Therapy dogs Yazzy and Mabel also came to join in the fun, as well as local community club Medway Family Badminton.
During September and October the governors held drop-in sessions in four local libraries – Luton, Lordswood, Strood and Rochester. It was a great opportunity to meet some local people and share some updates from the hospital and information on the benefits of becoming a member.
We also held our Annual Members’ Meeting on 18 October, which was well attended and prompted a lot of interesting discussions and feedback.
In November we attended the Dementia: Ask the Experts Day at Swallows Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne. This day was organised by the Swale Dementia Action Alliance, and gave people the opportunity to hear about cutting-edge research, care know-how and knowledge from lived experience.
August 2022 Update
Governors have had a number of opportunities to get involved and engage face to face in the last few months.
In May, they attended the Dementia Action Week at the Pentagon Centre in Chatham. Dementia Buddy Co-ordinator Lynda Petley, who was representing the hospital’s fantastic Dementia and Delirium Team, was also on hand to share support and advice with those who needed it.
In support of Volunteers’ Week (1 to 7 June), some of our governors attended the Swallows Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne along with our Engagement Team. This was an opportunity for local residents to learn about the volunteer opportunities available to them in their local community.
They were joined by Toni, the General Manager from the League of a Friends, and Pat, one of their amazing volunteers - who even had the opportunity to be on Swale FM to share why they believe volunteering is great and the opportunities available at the Trust.
July was a busy month for our governors who attended the Island S.O.S event, which was held on the Isle of Sheppey on 19 July.
There were many support organisations and services there on the day in relation to financial issues, mental health services, community connections and more. Medway governor Tim Newman, and Swale governors David Nehra and Jay Patel were there to listen to people’s views.
Our Medway Governor Tim Newman was in the main entrance of the hospital on 21 July speaking to patients and visitors about our Trust membership.
On 22 July we were joined by Mabel, one of our ‘Pets As Therapy’ dogs who specialises in patients with learning disabilities, at the Non Visible Disability Awareness Event at Eastgate House Gardens in Rochester. Mabel and Tim greeted many people at the event.
April 2022
Our Governors have had the opportunity to go to a variety places over the last month. Most recently they attended the Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham, having the opportunity to meet local residents and sharing how they can be part of the Trust through our membership.
One governor also joined us at the Net Community Hub in Walderslade along with Eunice Norman from the Hospital Radio. Eunice spoke about her incredible 50 years of service, receiving an MBE from Prince William, and the great work that takes place at the Hospital Radio and the League of Friends.
It was great to see some of our governors at our Easter fair which was held by the hospital charity. Visitors were able to browse a selection of stalls selling knitted items, cakes, refreshments and gifts. In total, an impressive sum of more than £700 was raised, plus almost £1,800 from our Easter Knitting Appeal!
We were also kindly invited to the Parkinson’s Awareness Week event at St Johns Church, Chatham. The aim of the week was to raise awareness and funds for a very worthy cause. Our Lead Governor, Councillor David Brake spoke to attendees about the importance of this event showcasing the incredible work that is happening in the local community to help those living with Parkinson’s.
Virtual Session - 2 December 2021
Lead Governor David Brake updated attendees on the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital, and asked that visitors at the hospital continue to support the Trust with infection control procedures which continue on-site. David also announced that the Trust has successfully launched Electronic Patient Records in 26 adult in-patient wards and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC).
Some interesting discussions took place regarding carers accompanying patients to appointments, and some of the issues being experienced following the introduction of the new Trust Telephony system. A question was also raised regarding the discharge of elderly patients from the Emergency Department.
Virtual Session - 19 October 2021
Angela Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer gave an update on how the hospital has been preparing for winter, the latest on COVID-19, and recent improvements to our Emergency Department. This included details of the opening of new ED areas, the vaccination programme, and measures being taken to prepare for the possibility of bed deficits.
David Brake, our newly elected Lead Governor updated attendees on the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital, and requested that visitors at the hospital continued to adhere to the robust infection control procedures which continue on-site. David also thanked Angela for all of her hard work and dedication, and announced that sadly she would be leaving the Trust.
Further discussions included staff vaccination uptake, abuse towards staff members, and smoking on-site.
Virtual Session - 21 July 2021
Glyn Allen, Lead Governor said a find farewell as he is coming to the end of his term of office. He reflected on the positive improvements that have been made to the Trust and thanked everyone for their support. He also introduced our newly elected Governors who joined this session who all took the opportunity to introduce themselves. Glyn went onto address the Trust's procedures in the lead up to 'Freedom Day'.
Discussed during the session were the role and influence of the Governors at the hospital; more information was asked regarding the Governors log; concerns were raised about nurses isolating and 'freedom day'; There was a discussion on GP's and concerns with the CCG and MCH.
Virtual Session – 18 May 2021
Attendees were updated by the Lead Governor, Glyn Allen on our exciting news of our new Chief Executive, Dr George Findlay and welcoming the CQC back to the Trust.
Discussed during the session included the Trust trialling blue wristbands for patients suffering with dementia; volunteers misguiding patients to MRI scan; interest in where all the parking ticket machines are; updates on Ruby Ward. It was an opportunity for the public to also share some of their/their families recent positive experiences visiting Medway Maritime Hospital.
Virtual Session – 18 March 2021
Glyn Allen (Public Governor Medway and Lead Governor), Jacqui Hackwell (Public Governor Medway), Doreen King (Public Governor Medway), David Nehra Public Governor Swale), Penny Reid (Public Governor Medway) and John Wright (Partner Governor) were joined by Glynis Alexander (Executive Director of Communications and Engagement) and Victoria Bean (Governor and Membership Officer) and welcomed members of the public to this second Meet the Governors session of 2021.
Attendees were updated by the Lead Governor on current issues including Governor elections, COVID-19, the vaccination programme, elective surgery and the Care Quality Commission inspection. In response to a question raised Governors confirmed they had been kept fully up-to-date during the pandemic, moving to virtual meetings and receiving regular updates. The importance of the public receiving up to date information was discussed and the routes of communication were outlined including through Governors, local press, social media, member bulletins and Community Groups. In response to a question raised in advance about attending face to face appointment it was confirmed that staff were strongly encouraged to have the vaccination and the Trust began vaccinating staff before Christmas and the majority have now received their jab, with many receiving their second dose. Other measures in place including wearing PPE, and infection prevention and control measures such as washing and gelling hands, wearing masks, and maintaining 2 metre social distance. The Trust also use lateral flow tests – these are available to staff to self-test twice a week, even if they do not have symptoms. Attendees also highlighted some local community schemes for patients to be transported for vaccinations.
Virtual Session – 27 January 2021
Glyn Allen (Public Governor Medway and Lead Governor), Helen Belcher (Partner Governor), John Wright (Partner Governor), Lyn Gallimore (Public Governor Swale), Doreen King (Public Governor Medway) and Jacqui Hackwell (Public Governor Medway) were pleased to be joined by Karen McIntyre (Associate Director of Patient Experience), Bobbie Walkem-Smith (Community Engagement Officer) and Victoria Bean ( Governor and Membership Officer) and to welcome members of the public to this virtual Meet the Governors session. Issues discussed during the session included an update on the staff vaccination programme and assurance all staff in all roles were being encouraged to have the vaccination; confirmation the Emergency Department was open for business during the COVID pandemic; access to iPads to facilitate communication with families; communication with the public during the pandemic. It was an opportunity for Governors to be updated on the Hospital Radio Medway and for an updated be provided by one of the attendees on 111CAS.