KIMS Hospital are continuing to support the NHS as part of the Government’s COVID-19 contingency planning.
KIMS Hospital has worked closely with local NHS Trusts; Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (MTW), Dartford & Gravesham, and Medway (MFT) by providing care to those patients that still needed urgent treatment for other health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of this partnership, MTW relocated their stroke rehabilitation ward to KIMS Hospital who managed the service from the end of March until the end of August. They worked in close collaboration with the occupational therapists and physio therapy teams from MTW who based themselves at KIMS Hospital during that time.
After suffering a stroke, Mr Pooley was receiving treatment under the care of the team at MTW and was transferred to KIMS Hospital at the beginning of May, to continue his rehabilitation. He was treated and cared for by the team at KIMS Hospital as well as a number of physiotherapists from MTW until his discharge at the end of May.
Mr Pooley comments, “I have had many injuries and a few ailments in my life and therefore visited numerous hospitals both in the UK and abroad. KIMS Hospital has stood out above all others in my estimation, not just the facilities but far more importantly the level of care. The KIMS Hospital and MTW team were exemplary. Not just the Doctors, Nurses, Physios, Occupational Therapists and Psychologists but also the; Administrators, Cleaners, Porters and Caterers. The collaboration between MTW and KIMS Hospital meant my care and rehabilitation was uninterrupted despite the pandemic.”
MTW NHS Clinical Lead Neuro Physiotherapist, Laura Henderson, who was based at KIMS Hospital between March and August said, “I truly believe that the patients had superb care and rehabilitation whilst at KIMS Hospital and this included the whole team, including the chef and guest services team who always went above and beyond. The care and dedication of the nursing team to every patient enabled us as a therapy team to provide optimal therapy time and many patients were discharged either back to baseline function or with function as hoped.”
During Mr Pooley’s recovery, he continued to raise money for children’s charity, Wooden Spoon, through the power of social media. His rugby club also joined in by completing a 30 burpees a day for 30 days challenge which was supported by many well known rugby players such as Shane Williams. This challenge raised around £2,000 which was split between Wooden Spoon and MTW.