Shocking Performance Concerns at Kent & Medway NHS Trust: Waiting Times, Staff Retention, and Dissatisfaction Exposed
In a recent scrutiny meeting, Dr Adrian Richardson, the director of partnerships and transformation at the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), faced tough questions regarding a range of performance concerns. The trust, which provides services for adult mental health and learning disabilities, has been under scrutiny due to long waiting times, poor staff retention, worker dissatisfaction, and the inconvenience of patients being asked to travel long distances for appointments.
The health and adult social care overview and scrutiny committee of Medway Council did not hold back in addressing the issues. They highlighted the problems of out-of-area placements, as well as the high number of unfilled vacancies within the trust. Furthermore, the committee expressed concerns over the lack of attention given to the concerns raised by staff, with nearly half of the respondents in a staff survey stating that they did not believe the organization would address their concerns.
Cllr Dan McDonald, the committee chairman, made it clear that the current situation at KMPT is unacceptable. Members of the committee particularly criticized the trust’s performance in terms of waiting times for the treatment of complex emotional difficulties, which could extend up to nine to 12 months. Patients were also being asked to travel outside of Medway for treatment, further adding to their inconvenience.
Another key concern raised by the committee was the winding down of Ruby Ward at Medway Maritime Hospital, which caters to patients with acute mental health needs. The replacement of this important ward with a new facility at Maidstone Hospital later this year raised doubts and apprehension among committee members.
The results of a staff survey conducted in 2022 revealed the grim reality faced by workers within KMPT. Among the 2,346 respondents out of a total of 3,700 employees, only 516 claimed that they never or rarely found their work emotionally exhausting. Similarly, only 962 respondents did not often think about leaving the organization, and a mere 1,215 felt that their concerns would be addressed by the trust.
Dr Richardson attempted to address some of the concerns raised during the meeting. He assured the committee that the trust is working to reduce the six-week backlog in dementia care caused by the pandemic to zero by the end of September. Recruitment practices have also been revamped to address the problem of unfilled vacancies and high turnover rates.
Additionally, Dr Richardson mentioned the plans for a new purpose-built Ruby Ward in Maidstone, designed to meet the advanced needs of dementia patients. However, the committee remained insistent that substantial improvements or resolutions to the issues at hand were necessary.
Following the meeting, a spokesperson for KMPT acknowledged the rising demand for health services in England, including mental health services. They emphasized their commitment to responding to this demand and improving services for people with dementia. The trust’s recently published three-year strategy focuses on creating a thriving work environment for staff to ensure the delivery of quality care.
The health director’s appearance before the scrutiny committee shed light on the major performance concerns facing KMPT. With waiting times, staff retention, and worker dissatisfaction brought to the forefront, it is clear that significant improvements are urgently needed. The trust must take swift action to resolve these issues, ensuring the prompt delivery of essential services to the people of Medway.
