Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital

01227 594700

King Edward Avenue, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 6EB

The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at this hospital is run by local GPs.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information about our service

We are carefully and slowly reintroducing patient visiting at our community hospitals in a safe and Covid-secure way.

Patients will be able to have one visitor; however the time may be limited to manage the number of people in wards and keep all our patients, staff and visitors safe. In exceptional circumstances, such as a patient on end of life care, or a patient with learning disabilities or mental health concerns, more visitors may be allowed.

If you wish to visit a patient in our care, please directly contact the ward to discuss the booking and visiting process. All visitors will need to follow to COVID-19 guidance and wear a facemask.

If you are self-isolating or have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate, you must follow NHS guidance and stay at home until your isolation period has finished.

This guidance is constantly under review. Keep up-to-date with the latest information, read our page on Coronavirus.

Ward name(s)

Heron Ward

Matron

Alison Read

Ward sister(s)

Bamlin Thomas

Charge Nurse

Siju Chacko

Consultant

Specialist Geriatrician Dr Gwenno Batty

Phone numbers

Main reception: 01227 594700
MIU: 01227 594756

Visiting times

Open visiting.

Visitors are advised to avoid visiting during the ward’s busiest times, between 8am and 11am, and also meal times (8am, 12noon, 5.30pm).

Visitors are welcome if they wish to be involved in the patients care and arrangements can be discussed with the ward staff.

X-ray: 8.30am to 1pm and 2 to 4pm, Monday to Thursday.

For blood tests please call 0330 123 9462 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm including bank holidays).

The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at this hospital is run by local GPs.

Welcome to Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay

We are a 23 bed in-patient unit providing a rehabilitation and intermediate care service. You will need to be referred by your GP from home or while you are a patient in a main (acute) hospital by the team looking after you.

On admission to us you will be introduced to your named nurse who will work closely as part of the ward multidisciplinary team (MDT) to agree an individual care plan with you; our aim being to enable you to recover as much independence as possible prior to returning home.

We operate a rehab ethos on the ward and we expect our patients to engage with this idea. A key part of your recovery will include getting up and dressed each day so please make sure you have day clothes and suitable shoes with you along with any items you may need for your personal care. During your stay we hope you will also be able to enjoy some of our activities which will help your recovery, progress and well-being.

The MDT will work together with you, your family and carers to make sure all support is in place prior to your discharge from us.

We would encourage and welcome your family, friends and carers to visit you while you are with us.

On admission, you and your family will be provided with more detailed information about your care and all staff will be available to discuss any queries you may have during your stay with us.

The team on Heron Ward takes pride in delivering high quality care for our patients. We are always happy to receive compliments or you can tell us about anything we could have done better. You can give your feedback anytime online here.

Parking and facilities at the hospital

There is a free car park on site for visitors.

A coffee machine and vending machine can be found in the main out-patients department and in the link corridor.

A small League of Friends shop is available on-site selling personal care items, confectionery, cards, etc.

Other services offered at the hospital

Please note there may be be other services at this location, including services not provided by KCHFT.

95%

Friends and Family test (FFT) score

(Feedback from April to June 2021)

You said, we did

Patients would like more activities available to help pass the time.

Additional therapeutic workers were recruited and an acitivity plan put in place.

A discharge form was incomplete and once home the patient did not receive a follow-up visit for treatment they were expecting.
- May 2020
Staff now complete discharge forms and add ‘not applicable’ where relevant, to ensure that no answers to questions are left blank. Changes have been made to the referral process whereby after raising urgent referrals, staff telephone the community nursing teams to confirm receipt.

Some patients advised that there were insufficient mirrors in the bathroom.
- December 2019
Handheld mirrors have been purchased for patients and are now available in all community hospitals in east Kent.

Some patients would have liked a shower and their hair washed a little more often during their stay.
- July 2018
A new wet room with a shower and bath has been installed on the ward to expand the existing facilities. Dry shampoo hair wash caps are now available for use by patients who are immobile or bedbound.

Some patients were unhappy that they were being turned away. This occasionally happened when the service operated the ticket system and too many patients arrived on the same day.
Phlebotomy Service - June 2017
We changed our system to booked appointments only. This will ensure that patients who have appointments are always seen.

When ringing to book an appointment for a blood test, the phone line was always engaged.
Phlebotomy Service - June 2017
We installed an additional phone line and a new telephone system which informs our patients if the phone lines are busy.

Would like to have access to a hairdresser.

We have arranged for patients to be able to use the hairdresser at the sheltered accommodation across the road.

Your comments

May 2020
Heron Ward

You ask me questions and I answer as best as I can. I feel I'm getting good treatment. If I think of something, you have usually already thought of it. You keep on the top of the things.

April 2020

Thank you for looking after my mum. Your team is the kindest, friendliness and most caring ever! I'll miss you! So will my mum.

March 2020

Everybody was so kind, understanding and caring. I haven't a word to say against them. I admire their devotion and hard work.

March 2020

Staff are very caring and understanding.

February 2020

I have spoken to the matron to highlight the extra special care and attention received by a number of staff working here.

February 2020

I have been treated with the upmost care and attention.

February 2020

When I needed help they have always helped me.

February 2020

The staff have time and patience when helping patients. All requests are responded to quickly with a smile.

January 2020

Lovely ward, nice food.

January 2020

I would like to say on behalf of our mum and family, thank you for all your wonderful kind care and support. All of the staff were so kind and mum was so well cared for. Smiling staff and excellent care and attention. So very grateful to you all. (Dementia Care)

January 2020

Food is very good. Staff are kind. They are very considerate.

December 2019

All the staff where very polite,friendly and professional.

December 2019

Nothing but good treatment.

July 2019

I felt well looked after.

June 2019

Never felt a thing, the best ever blood test. (Phlebotomy)

February 2019

Nice team and people.

January 2019

I have been treated very well by all staff, and they are very hardworking.

January 2019

Friendly and comforting.

May 2018

They are always so caring . Very nice; they always make space for my wheelchair. (Phlebotomy service)

April 2018

An exceptional service offered by wonderful staff. (Phlebotomy service)

February 2018

The service was super quick and efficient and the staff were friendly, polite and put me totally at ease. (Phlebotomy Service)

January 2018

Staff are very efficient and treatment are very good.

December 2016

Everyone is very caring, helpful and nice. Making me feel like a home from home.

December 2016

Staff are attentive and friendly.

Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital