"Access"

Anything else?

The hospital overall is nice and shiny but some staff lack compassion and getting here if you don't drive or have easy access to someone who does is a complete joke. I have even ended up kipping outside before due to very late night/early morning emergency admissions of my partner. There are one or two nurses who are fantastic and obviously very experienced and well trained with respect to canula canula insertion. Just last night (27th/28th August 13) they took 4 different members of staff a total of 7 attempts in A&E. I really think they could all do with a refresher course and some practice (except one lady on Sunday, she managed it in one attempt in about 30 seconds, best you have at it) I think part of the problem is that some of the nurses know they are not much good at it as one was asked to put it in but instead of doing it, passed the buck and went for someone who was better to do it not maintaining their own experience. Back to the access issue. What needs to be understood by the trust is that not everbody drives and has a car or for that matter can easily get someone with a car to assist. Also that some people are on low incomes so the taxi's are also out. On a Sunday, there are no direct buses from Maidstone. It requires a change of bus to get here so if you are stuck with public transport, it is difficult to attend for visits and returning home. Also for those attending late at night or early morning there again is no service. Some arrangement should be made to ensure buses. The trust wants this to be the main hospital of the two, then they should ensure good access for all not just those with cars! The taxi's are a joke as well. One taxi from hospital to Maidstone is £ 35 (half my weeks total income) . For those on low incomes this can be a real struggle and no transport is readily provided for patients to help those discharged at night!