Previous Public Events
Breaking down barriers and the stigma of perinatal mental health - 4 May 2023
Our Chief Nursing Office, Evonne Hunt welcomed and thanked our attendees for joining us at this event.
Irene Smith, Mental Health Midwife shared the services she provides here at the Medway Maritime Hospital and also shared the different places where people can find support. Donna Collins, Thrive Specialist Mental Health Midwife then spoke about Thrive (psychological support for birth trauma and loss) and the service they provide. The event provided an opportunity for them to raise awareness about the amazing work they do, and how we can break down barriers and stigma of perinatal mental health.
Irene Smith, Mental Health Midwife, said, “Raising awareness of perinatal mental health is important so we can change attitudes, and be an advocate for women and families affected by mental health difficulties. We want to help families to access the resources available in their local area.
“Did you know that around one in five women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or after birth? And that 70 per cent of them will not seek advice or support as they do not think it is important or do not want to be a burden?”
Donna Collins, Thrive Specialist Mental Health Midwife, said. "Thrive is a brand new and exciting service that is rolling out within the Medway and Swale area over the coming months. We are a team of two therapists, a specialist mental health midwife and a peer support worker with lived experience. We support those who have experienced a traumatic birth or loss.
“Events like these are so important for both sharing information, and increasing awareness of services with those people who may not otherwise know what is available to support them."
This event was in of Maternal Mental Health Week May 2023. Mental health issues can develop during pregnancy or within the early years of having a baby. Some common mental health conditions includes anxiety, depression, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If these develop and are undiagnosed, they can have a detrimental impact not only on the parent but can affect their friends and families too.
If you would like the resources that were shared by the teams at this event, please email: met-tr.members-medway@nhs.net
A copy of the slides are available here
Quality Priorities - 8 February 2023
Our Chief Executive, Jayne Black welcomed our virtual attendees and shared an overview on our improvement programme 'Patient First'.
Evonne Hunt - Chief Nursing Officer, Alison Davis - Chief Medical Officer and Gavin McDonald - Chief Operating Officer, spoke to attendees about the progress against our break through objectives and the Quality Priorities for 2022/23.
Following the presentation, attendees then participated in 'break out' rooms, where each group discussed priorities corresponding to one of the three quality domains: 'Safe', 'Effective' and 'Person-Centred Care'.
After the breakout groups, everyone came back together as one group for a final feedback session to share information from the groups and to collate feedback and facilitate and further questions.
A copy of the slides are available here.
Planning for Winter - 7 December 2022
We were pleased to be able to speak to members both in person and virtually at this hybrid event, held in our Education Centre and online via MS Teams. The focus was winter planning and the measures we have been taking to reduce our Referral To Treatment (RTT) waiting times.
Speakers included Benn Best, Director of Operations; Dr Graeme Sanders, Divisional Medical Director; Cliff Evans, ED Consultant Nurse, and Dr Christopher Parokkaran, Consultant Acute Physician.
Annual Members' Meeting - 18 October 2022
The 2022 Annual Members’ Meeting was back at the Trust. We had a good attendance in person and virtually and were able to provide an update about the work that has happened over the last 12 months and our aspirations for the future.
If you were unable to join on the evening you can see a copy of the slides here.
Summer Fun Day - 11 August 2022
Over £500 was raised thanks to colleagues and hundreds of members of our community attending the Summer Fun Day, who 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.
How Research Benefits All - 27 April 2022
The Research Team celebrated their trials and projects at our public event. We were pleased to see around 40 attendees, comprising members of the public and several Governors. It was particularly pleasing that a number of community groups such as the Medway Neurological Network were represented.
Our Chief Executive, Dr George Findlay welcomed attendees and introduced Dr Edyta McCallum, Head of Research and Innovation (R&I). The session covered topics such as the recovery-respiratory support trial for COVID-19 patients, and the team also shared some of their home-grown research, focusing on successes and the future of research.
The event also provided an opportunity for the Research Team to not only share their achievements but to share evidence of the importance of research. The presentations sparked many great questions.
One of our attendees said: ‘I thought the topics presented were of particular interest to patients past or present since it was easy to relate to them. It changed my view of the hospital. There’s so much happening behind the public face of the hospital that’s devoted to our benefit.’
A copy of the slides are available here.
Quality Priorities - 20 January 2022
The purpose of this meeting was to have an open, transparent forum in order to engage with our patients and external stakeholders to develop our quality priorities for the coming year, and to give an update on the progress or existing priorities.
Our Chief Executive, Dr George Findlay welcomed more than 40 attendees and introduced our new Chief Nursing and Quality Officer, Evonne Hunt, and our new Chief Medical Officer, Alison Davis. He outlined the importance of having quality priorities, and their alignment to the new Patient First Programme.
Niloufar Hajilou (Associate Director of Quality and Safety) and Kerry O'Neill (Quality Improvement Advisor) gave an update on the progress of our Quality Priorities from April 2020 to December 2021.
George and Niloufar then spoke about the Trust's new Patient First Programme, and the quality priority proposals for 2022/23,- ensuring that they are aligned appropriately.
Attendees took part in group 'break out' sessions, where each group discussed priorities corresponding to one of the three quality domains: 'Safe', 'Effective' and 'Caring'. Following this, a group feedback session was held in order to collate feedback and facilitate and further questions.
A copy of the slides are available here.
Improvements to our Emergency Department and Care of Elderly People - 18 November 2021
Glynis Alexander, Executive Director of Communications and Engagement, welcomed attendees and thanked them for joining us. She introduced Jayne Black, our new Chief Operating Officer.
Jayne updated attendees on COVID-19 vaccinations, winter preparedness, and the opening of the new Emergency Department.
Dr Sanjay Suman, Consultant Geriatrician and Clinical Director (Therapies and Older Persons Care Group), shared the journey of the Trust’s frailty services over recent years, and the improvements which have been made. He spoke about what frailty is, it’s prevalence in the local community, and the way in which it is identified, categorised and treated. The presentation also included information about how the Care Group is structured and what services they provide, including the newly opened Emerald Frailty Assessment Unit.
Dr Suman concluded that a great deal of progress has been made towards the goal of a Centre of Excellence for Frailty, but there is still work to be done. A whole system collaborative approach is required to make frailty services the best they can be.
The presentation sparked a number of questions and some very interesting discussions, after which Jayne thanked everyone for attending. It was noted that a number of attendees had requested that Dr Suman present again in the future, and they were particularly interested in the discharge process.
A copy of the slides are available here
Annual Members' Meeting - 16 September 2021
The Trust’s Chair Jo Palmer was pleased to open the event and welcome all of our guests. George Findlay, Chief Executive provided a review of the year. We also got to hear from our new Lead Governor, Cllr David Brake and Jane Murkin, Chief Nursing and Quality Officer.
Professor Ranjit Akolekar spoke about the acclaimed Medway Fetal Medicine and Antenatal department and also shared his new Parents' Network. We were joined by one of his patients Karly, who bravely shared her pregnancy journey and why she feels the Parents' Network will be invaluable to so may expectant parents and their families.
A copy of the slides are available here
Innovation and Improvement - 24 June 2021
George Findlay, Chief Executive shared the latest updates from the Trust. We also got to hear from a variety of speakers from the Innovation Centre and Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Clinical Director of Women's Health.
A copy of the slides are available here
Patient Experience - 28 April 2021
Karen McIntyre, Associate Director of Patient Experience shared how we are working with you to design the Patient Experience Strategy. It was also an opportunity for all our guests to share their views with us on 'What does a good patient experience look like?'
A copy of the slides are available here
Quality Priorities – 24 February 2021
The Trust’s Chair Jo Palmer was pleased to welcome members to our first Members’ event of 2021. The event was an opportunity to update members on progress with the Quality Strategy and last year’s Quality Priorities. Members then had the opportunity to share their views during breakout sessions on the proposed priorities for safe, effective and person-centred care for 2021/22.
Jane Murkin, Chief Nursing and Quality Officer, updated members on progress with the Quality Strategy and Quality Priorities and introduced the proposed Quality Priorities for 2021/22. Angela Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer, provided a brief overview of the Trust’s work to improve patient flow (the patient pathway from arrival, time in hospital through to discharge).
A copy of the slides are available here and members will be kept informed of progress.
James Devine, Chief Executive welcomed the praise heard during the event and the progress made, and confirmed it was important to hear the personal experience of members whether that be a positive experience or a negative experience from which lessons could be learned. There were areas about which the Trust should be proud – for example the Awards for periods of 150 days without infections – but there is always more to be done and to aspire to and he assured members of the Trust’s commitment to continue work to consistently provide the care the community deserves.
Annual Members’ Meeting - 17 September 2020 (virtual event)
The 2020 Annual Members’ Meeting was a new experience for us all – being hosted virtually. We had a good attendance and were able to provide an update about the work that has happened over the last 12 months and our aspirations for the future.
If you were unable to join on the evening and would like to see the proceedings you can watch the recording of the meeting here.
Take a look at the COVID-19 video (played during the Annual Members’ Meeting):
Supporting Organ Donation – 7 September 2020 (virtual event)
In September, in support of Organ Donation Week, we held an informal web chat to discuss the very important and emotive topic of organ donation followed by a question and answer session.
A short presentation was provided by Dr Gill Fargher, Chair of the Organ and Tissue Donation Committee at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Paul Hayden, Clinical Lead Critical Care, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Alison Hill, Specialist Nurse Organ Donation, NHS Blood and Transplant.
The presentation covered the law change, recent events and the impact of COVID-19, and most importantly the message of making your wishes known to your loved ones.
Draft Improvement Plan – 28 July 2020 (virtual event)
In July, we held an online Draft Improvement Plan Members’ event so people could hear about the Improvement Plan, and the areas identified as priorities. This offered an opportunity for people to share their view and discuss what priorities are important to them.
The Trust Board approved Our Medway Improvement Plan and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on the draft plan either at our Members’ event or directly to us. Now is the time for us to deliver this plan and the care that the people of Medway and Swale deserve.
Quality Priorities – 5 February 2020
Katy White, Director of Nursing Quality and Professional Standards, led the event and updated attendees on the recently launched Quality Strategy. We were delighted to be joined at our opening event of 2020 by so many members who were happy to participate and engage in workshop discussions to help us understand if the quality priorities are the right ones and what quality means to our patients, public and members.
A copy of the presentation is available here.
Pharmacy and Medicines take centre stage - 19 November 2019
Our final member event of the year showcased the innovations and improvements made in the Trust’s Pharmacy and Medicines department. Chief Pharmacist, Stephen Cook, and pharmacy team colleagues provided members with the opportunity to learn more about the service, which is vital to the smooth running of the hospital.
Through the interactive information stands, our members heard what our pharmacy service is responsible for; discovered what was involved in the dispensing of medication; and learned more about our specialist clinical, women’s and children’s pharmacy services. Members also found out about aseptic pharmacy services and the in-house manufacture of specialist products for chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition. For our younger members there was a chance to hear about the different pharmacy careers.
Events like this provide you, our community, with a chance to gain valuable insight into the inner workings of your local hospital trust. We are pleased to have seen an increased attendance at our events throughout the year and look forward to welcoming many more people to another series of events that are being planned for 2020. Details will be shared with members through the ‘dates for your diary section’, regular emails and on our website and social media.
You can view slides from the event below:
Annual Members' Meeting - 19 September 2019
We were delighted to welcome more than 140 people to our Annual Members’ Meeting in September to hear about the progress we have made over the last year.
It was fascinating to hear from last year’s winners of the Chief Executive’s Scholarship for Brilliance, with a presentation on Prehabilitation services showcasing this ground-breaking new project.
Exhibition stands introduced a range of services, and during the evening attendees also got the opportunity to raise questions and have their say about services at the hospital.
You can view slides from the event below:
'Behind the scenes' at Medway Maritime Hospital - 11 July 2019
As an NHS Foundation Trust it is important that our members have an understanding of all aspects of our operations, so in July we invited our members to take a journey behind the scenes at Medway Maritime Hospital.
This unique event started with introductions from the Trust’s Director of Estates and Facilities, Gary Lupton, and members of the Simulation Team, as we opened our doors to members to showcase some of the vital work that is often unseen to the public.
Guests were shown around the Medical Gas Building, Emergency Generator House and Clinical Engineering, with the Trust’s experienced Hospital Engineers, Leo McGregor-Davies and Paul Chambers. This gave members a chance to see the ‘nuts and bolts’ behind the safe running of the hospital’s operations.
Our Simulation Department then provided an insight into how our clinicians are trained using advanced, lifelike manikins, in a range of simulation scenarios. The Trust’s simulation staff work hard to provide high-quality, educational exercises for our clinicians, and members told us they were impressed to see this first-hand and by the levels of modern training on offer, which helps to improve experiences for our clinicians and patients.
The tour ended with a question and answer session with Chief Executive James Devine, who was quizzed on a range of topics including future plans for the hospital, car parking, supporting staff wellbeing, and career opportunities at the Trust.
Members concluded the session by telling us they were ‘pleased to have participated’, were ‘better informed about the back room operations delivered by unsung heroes’, were ‘positive and confident that things were improving’, and were ‘extremely optimistic for the future of their local hospital’.
We would like to thank members for joining us this first ever ‘behind the scenes’ event and it was encouraging to see so many of you express an interest in working more closely with the hospital in future.
You can view slides from the event below:
Watch a video from the event:
Integrated Care for Older People event - 14 May 2019
In response to your feedback, we held our May event in the afternoon in Sittingbourne, where Dr Sanjay Suman, Clinical Co-Director, Alison Streatfield, Clinical Co-Director and April Thompson, Head of Therapies, updated attendees on the integrated care we provide for older people, the progress we’ve made, and our plans for the future.
In your feedback you told us that you were:
- ‘Pleased to hear the vision and direction of travel’
- ‘A bit more positive that the hospital is moving forward’
- ‘Optimistic in terms of self and family – if the strategy of Integrated Care in implemented as explained’
- ‘Caring and responsive to increasing older adult needs’.
You can view slides from the event below:
The Kent and Medway Medical School event - 26 March 2019
Our March event looked to the future of health care in Medway. Our members heard from Dr Peter Nicholls, Dean of KentHealth, about the New Kent and Medway Medical School. The evening provided insight into how this facility will be a chance for local young people to fulfil career aspirations by training at a top level university and hospital, a view that was endorsed by some of our current medical students who showcased their journey at the Trust.
You can views slides from the event below:
Quality Priorities event - 12 February 2019
We would like to thank our members for such an engaging event and helping us understand what quality really means to our patients, public and members. You can view the slides from the event with members’ comments and ideas included:
Since the event we have collated all the input and used it to influence our 2019/20 local quality priorities. These are soon to be shared as part of our Medway quality strategy. Furthermore we used your comments to inform our ‘designing for quality’ framework to which we will be reviewing all of our core services over the next 12 months.