Accessing NHS Services

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

A&E

The nearest accident and emergency department is at: The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Kent TN2 4QJ

Telephone: 0845 155 1000

Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

Urgent Treatment Centres

Urgent Treatment Centres are hospital-based GP-led centres which offer appointments that can be booked through NHS 111. Patients can also walk-in but may not be seen as quickly. UTCs are equipped to diagnose and deal with many of the most common ailments people attend emergency departments for: find more information about UTCs here. Our local UTCs are at Maidstone Hospital and the Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

There is now a free app called WaitLess which shows waiting times at our local urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and minor injury units (MIUs). It displays the number of people waiting and the longest waiting times, along with travel information, so patients can decide to visit a site that is not so busy. The app is available free from iPhone App Store and Google Play Store – search WaitLess.

For advice about which service is most appropriate for your medical problem, visit Stop Think Choose to understand the healthcare options available. This will be promoted throughout the winter on radio adverts, social media channels and through printed material.

My Planned Care

Help and support for patients waiting for a hospital appointment or operation

The My Planned Care website supports people waiting for a hospital appointment, operation or treatment, and gives them advice and support while they wait. This includes access to average waiting times at their hospital and other useful advice and local services.

Patients can check the website of their allocated hospital for any information they may need before contacting their hospital or GP practice. Carers, friends, relatives and NHS teams can also see this information and, if needed, help guide people through the detail.

The site is easy-to-use and updated weekly with other advice and information on how to manage pain, keeping healthy, looking after their mental health, accessing financial help and other local support services. The site can also help people to prepare for their appointment or operation, including practical suggestions about how to manage symptoms and help prevent these from getting worse.

MY PLANNED CARE

Clinical Administration Unit

The Clinical Administration unit is responsible for arranging outpatient clinic appointments and inpatient operations. They receive referrals from GPs and consultants, liaise with consultants to find out when they wish to see or operate on a patient, and then agree a date for the clinic appointment or operation, with the patient.

VISIT THE MAIDSTONE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS NHS TRUST WEBSITE