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Array Activity Centre – ourZone Find out more and joinIf you are over 18 years of age and you would like to find out more please call the ourZone team on 01634 335580 or by email or complete our online form using the ‘Join us’... Blood test appointments *Update* the DART system is working again so we can use F Numbers and paper blood test forms. The DART system used across Kent and Medway for blood tests is currently not working. It is being investigated.In the meantime, if... Back to top Blood tests: Planned urgent maintenance work on system Urgent maintenance work is taking place on DART (the system we use to manage blood tests), on Monday 19 January 2026 between 6am and 9am. This means that the system may not be available if patients only have an electronic... Back to top Bring paper form for blood tests on Saturday 28 June If you are coming for a blood test on Saturday, 28 June, please bring a blood form with you. We are unable to use the F number.Please get the form from your GP or rebook your appointment if you can’t... Back to top Bring your paper forms to your blood test appointment If you are coming to us for a blood test, please make sure you have a paper form. If you do not have a paper form, we cannot do your blood test.We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.... Back to top Change to MedOCC and prescriptions MedOCC is no longer able to provide repeat prescriptions for medications that patients have run out of. Such requests now need to be made via 111 online, which is available 24/7. Please Google “111 online prescription” to access the service.... Back to top Community services in Kent and Medway set to strengthen under community health partnership A new partnership between Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), HCRG Care Group (HCRG) and Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) promises to enhance community healthcare across the region. New contracts, awarded by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, to KCHFT... Back to top DART system down for Kent and Medway blood tests The DART system used across Kent and Medway for blood tests is not working. It is being investigated.In the meantime, if you are coming in for a blood test we are only able to see patients who have a blood... Back to top Hoo road works – allow extra time to get to appointments Please allow extra time to get to your appointments at Walter Brice.Improvement works planned in Hoo from 21 October for two weeks.Main Rd closed at the junction with Herdsdown to through traffic for the duration of the works. Diversion: Main... Back to top Issue with physio self referral forms We have been made aware that our self-referral system has not been working properly and the MSK team have not been receiving your physiotherapy self-referral forms.If you tried to refer yourself between 1st and 10th October please resubmit your form.... Back to top IT issues 27/9/2024 We are experiencing significant IT issues this morning, affecting our ability to manage enquiries and appointments.Please bear with us while we resolve these issues. We are working around the clock to get things back to normal. Thank you for your... Back to top IT update – 13 December Firstly, we want to thank our patients for their understanding and support as we have worked through our ongoing IT incident. Our staff have worked hard to maintain our services, and to provide care to our communities. We appreciate that... Back to top IT update – 5 Dec 2024 Earlier this week we told you that we detected some suspicious activity relating to our IT systems. As a precaution, we therefore disconnected our systems to protect patient and staff data.This investigation is ongoing.For you, this means:If you are coming... Back to top IT update: 17 Jan 2025 We are now in the Recovery phase of our IT incident but continue to work in business continuity across the organisation. We have approximately 40% of staff safely back online, with the number increasing every day. Clinical teams all have... Back to top MCH House closed from 24 October – 15 December Please be advised that MCH House will be temporarily closed from Friday 24 October 2025 to Monday 15 December 2025 for essential building maintenance. During this period, additional clinics will be available at our other sites to ensure continued service.We... Back to top MCH House will reopen on Monday 15 December We are pleased to announce that MCH House will reopen as scheduled on Monday 15 December.Works were completed as planned – we now have warm and cool air handling which is more efficient and improves air flow throughout the building,... Back to top New community health services contract launches in Kent and Medway A new contract, which sees adult and children’s community health services in Kent and Medway delivered by a new partnership, started this week.Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) was awarded the contract as lead provider, by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board,... Back to top New Medway Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group We are delighted to announce the launch of the new Medway Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group on 11 September, 1:30-3pm at Rainham Christian Fellowship, The Baptist Church, Waltham Road, Twydall, Kent, ME8 6XE.The group is for any patients with pulmonary fibrosis... Back to top No blood clinics on 24 and 27 March There will be no blood clinic at Twydall Clinic on 24 March or at MCH House on 27 March. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.... Back to top No blood tests at MCH House on Thursday 5 February 2026 Due to staffing issues we are unfortunately unable to offer any blood tests at MCH House tomorrow (Thursday 5th February 2026). Our teams will be in touch to reschedule booked appointments, and please do not come to MCH House for... Back to top North Dane Way road closure Part of North Dane Way in Lordswood, Chatham is closed for ten weeks for work linked to the East Hill development by Capstone Farm Country Park.From Monday 2 June, a stretch of North Dane Way in Lordswood will be undergoing... Back to top Paracetamol and pregnancy – reminder that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe The UK’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a drug safety update: Patients should be reminded and reassured that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Paracetamol is recommended as the first-choice pain reliever... Back to top Recent news and wellbeing The last few weeks have seen an increase in intimidating and abusive messaging and activity across the country; and in a world of social media and ‘always on’ news, we know that for many people this feels overwhelming. This type... Back to top Resource Centre The links below will direct you to useful resources for all the adult and children’s services we provide.... Back to top Snapdragons – Christmas raffle Here are the list of prizes that could be won:Man United Signed Pennant (With Official Certificate)Arsenal Signed Pennant (With Official Certificate)Tickets to ArcelorMittal Orbit LondonFamily Tickets to Howletts Wild Animal ParkFamily Tickets to Fenn Bell ZooTickets to Copper Rivet Distillery... Back to top Stronger together Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) are exploring joining forces as one organisation.As community providers with similar visions to support people in Kent and Medway to lead their best and healthiest lives, the organisations... Back to top Tell us what you think about Kent and Medway community services coming together To better serve people across the county, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) are planning to come together to become one organisation.Our communities are changing. People are living longer, often with more complex health needs. Yet access to... Back to top Wishing you well over the festive season: A message from Martin Riley, Managing Director of MCH As we approach the end of the year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you all during this festive season.Throughout the year, across the NHS, we’ve faced challenge and change. Nonetheless, throughout our staff have lived our organisational... Back to top Worldwide IT issues Some of our systems are impacted by the ongoing issues affecting IT worldwide. We apologise in advance for the inconvenience caused, and for any delays – please bear with us and be patient with our teams as we work through... Back to top Worldwide Microsoft outage affecting some of our systems today Some of our systems are impacted by the ongoing Microsoft issues affecting IT worldwide.We apologise in advance for the inconvenience caused, and for any delays – please bear with us and be patient with our teams as we work through... Back to top Advanced community practitioners Domiciliary visits and nursing and residential homesWhat we doThe Advanced Community Practitioners (ACPs) and End of Life Facilitators work closely with residents, families, care home staff and GPs, to ensure each resident receives high quality care to meet their needs... Back to top Homepage Welcome to MedwayCommunity Healthcare About us Our research We provide a widerange of high qualitycommunity services A-Z Services Book your blood test onlineThis service can only accept patients with a Medway and Swale GP. Any patients with a GP outside this area, will be asked... Back to top Adult Speech and language therapy Our Community Speech and Language Therapy team provides support and advice to adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders living in Medway. This includes people living with neuro degenerative disorders such as Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s Disease, MND and... Back to top Our Services The majority of the services we provide are NHS – we’re proud to be part of the NHS family. This also means that we can provide all the staff pay and benefits that the NHS provides, and more.As a social... Back to top Anti-coagulation/warfarin service The anti-coagulation service provides a one stop shop monitoring service for people who require INR /Warfarin monitoring for more than 1 year.The service is delivered by nurses/associate practitioner and assistants.Clinics are held at various locations throughout Medway but home visits... Back to top Self help The links below will direct you to useful resources for all the adult and children’s services we provide:Adult and childrens resource centreSpeech and language resourcesSelf help for childrenSelf help for adults... Back to top Bladder and bowel service About our teamThe Bladder and Bowel service provides specialist community-based management, advice and support for anyone 18 years or older with symptoms of bladder or bowel dysfunction who can attend a clinic setting or are residing in a residential care... Back to top Self help for children For leaflets please click the link below.Children’s Services leafletsAre you a member of a school looking to become more educated around some of the needs of some of your students? If so please click the link the below for further... Back to top Blood test service (phlebotomy) Book your blood test onlineBlood tests are by appointment only.Please note: The service can only accept patients with a Medway and Swale GP. Any patients with a GP outside of this area, will be asked to book a test within... Back to top Care Homes We have launched a free new resource for care homes to use to support residents with their eating, drinking and swallowing calledthe Kent Manual for Mealtimes (KM4M). It contains detailed practical advice which is evidence-based and aligns with the CQC Single Assessment Framework for safe, effective... Back to top Services for schools Indigo Pathway now called the Indigo Behaviour and Development Pathway which includes our ASD and ADHD diagnostic service.School NursingSupporting speech, language and communication in mainstream schools. Click here >Supporting speech, language and communication needs in Medway special schools and specialist provisions.... Back to top Brain tumour support The group was founded 2012 and had its first meeting on 7 February 2012. The group meets once a month on the first Tuesday, and aims to offer support and information to people affected in any way by a brain... Back to top FAQs For schools Which Children do you see on the Violet Pathway?Children who have long term conditions, who may need regular review and may need advice from a Paediatrician. Children with cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome, genetic disorders, global developmental delay and children... Back to top Make a referral – ASLT Referral criteriaIn our Community SLT team, we accept referrals for people with a Medway GP who have an acquired swallow or communication impairment.Swallow referralsPlease refer to our service if the patient has regular and ongoing signs of possible aspiration and... Back to top Breast and bottle feeding Medway families can book a free antenatal ‘Hello Baby’ infant feeding appointment and speak to a peer supporter about getting feeding off to the best start before your baby arrives.If you need support when your baby arrives, you can also call... Back to top Newsletters Snapdragons_newsletter_-_Summer_2022DownloadSnapdragons_newsletter_-_Spring_April_2022DownloadSnapdragons_Newsletter_Spring_2024Download... Back to top Child Health Service MCH offers child health community services to children and young people from new born to 18 years for children living in Medway. If you live in Swale, you can see which services we provide in this area.If you are a... Back to top Self help for adults The links below navigate you to the videos and leaflets provided by our adult services. If after seeing these you still have questions, please use the number provided in the leaflets and contact the service.Adult’s services videosAdult’s services leafletsRunner’s corner... Back to top Children’s Therapy (Swale) The Swale children’s therapy team provide the following services:Nutrition and dieteticsFeeding clinicNeurophysiotherapyMSK PhysiotherapyOccupational therapyChildren’s podiatrySpeech and language therapyFor more information regarding these services, please call us on 0300 123 3444 or email medch.orchards@nhs.netMCH offers child health community services to children... Back to top MSK exercise videos Neck exercisesShoulder exercisesElbow exercisesAbdominal exercisesHip exercisesKnee exercisesAnkle exercisesBalance exercisesLanding/plyometric exercisesNerve mobility exercises... Back to top Chat health resources Chat Health is a secure NHS approved text messaging service. All Medway young people aged 11 – 19 can text 07480 635 786 to start a conversation with a School Nurse.Anything from relationships, mental health, bullying, alcohol, self harm, healthy eating,... Back to top Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) What we doThe Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) is a team of expert health professionals who help people with problems in their bones, joints, and muscles. This includes things like knee pain, back pain and shoulder pain.The team has different kinds... Back to top Community equipment Provided byMedequip Assistive Technology LimitedDescriptionThe Medway Integrated Community Equipment Service (MICES) service supports children and adults who, due to their health or a disability, may need community equipment such as walking frames, hoists, crutches, and chairs to help them live... Back to top Speech and language resources The following resources can be used to support children and young people to develop their interaction and communication skills both at home and in school or college. Some of the videos may feature younger children or children with differing needs... Back to top Continuing care About the teamHealth care at home is a service tailoring health care to individuals requiring palliative care and support towards the end of their lives.The provision of care for this service is commenced following an initial assessment by health professionals... Back to top What is speech, language and communication SpeechWhen we use the term ‘speech’, we are referring to the production of sounds to form words.LanguageIn the simplest sense, we think of language as being the understanding and use of words, sentences and grammar. This involves both receptive language... Back to top Dementia services It is estimated that in Medway in 2015 there are 2, 898 people living with dementia and 2,727 of that number are people over 65 years old. It is estimated that there will be a considerable increase in the number... Back to top Selective mutism Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety-based disorder that affects a child’s ability to speak to specific people, in specific environments despite being able to talk freely in settings where they feel more comfortable e.g. at home with their family. For some... Back to top Children’s Dietitian’s Who we areDietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be regulated by law and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. We hold regular outpatient clinics in Snapdragons and Rochester Healthy Living... Back to top Darland House Darland House is a modern specialist nursing home that provides residential care for adults with dementia or mental health needs, who have associated, complex and intense health care needs. The service is potentially accessible to patients from any healthcare region... Back to top Stammering Stammering can be known by a variety of names including, stuttering, repeating, words getting stuck, bumpy talking, dysfluency.Up to 5% of all children go through a period of stammering between the ages of 2-4 years old. This is often around... Back to top Dementia Crisis Team The Dementia Crisis Team is an innovative service set up to support people with dementia and their carers who live at home. The service is intended to enable people to remain in their own homes and reduce unnecessary admissions into... Back to top Joint feeding clinic Infants, children and young people (CYP) seen in MCH’s Children’s Feeding Clinics can have difficulties with feeding and/or swallowing and/or have difficulties with gaining adequate nutrition and hydration in order to grow and develop in a safe and healthy way.Speech... Back to top Signing Signing for Schools and Pre-Schools Signing at Home Introduction to signingSigning vocabulary... Back to top Children’s Occupational Therapy Who we areWe are a team of qualified occupational therapists and technical instructors with specialist interests and knowledge in all activities of daily living and equipment provision. We work with children who have difficulties with; fine motor skills, visual perceptual... Back to top Dental (emergency) Non-urgent advice: NOTICEPlease note that we are aware of an unofficial Google reviews page (named Dentaline Chatham) which appears to be linked to us at MCH. It is not owned or managed by us and we are in no way... Back to top Signing at home The MCH Children’s Speech and Language Therapy team have developed this video series for parents/carers. Adults are encouraged to use signing alongside spoken language (sign as you say the key words) with children who are developing their talking. For more... Back to top Children’s Physiotherapy We are a team of qualified physiotherapists and technical instructors with specialist interests and knowledge in movement patterns and difficulties with a range of neurological conditions. We work with children who have difficulties with movement, posture and gait. We work... Back to top Dental (community) Most people can be treated by a local general dental practitioner (GDP); please note, we do not accept self referrals. Find out how to access a NHS dentist on the NHS Website.Some people have special physical, mental or social needs... Back to top Signing for schools and pre-schools The MCH Children’s Speech and Language Therapy team have developed this video series for our education colleagues in schools and pre-schools. Staff are encouraged to use signing alongside spoken language (sign as you say the key words) with children who... Back to top Deafness What is deafness?Deafness is different for every child.Some children can hear louder sounds (for example, a dog barking) but not softer/quieter sounds (for example, birds outside).Other children have a greater hearing loss and do not hear louder soundsSome children have difficulty... Back to top Diabetes About the teamThe MCH Diabetes Team is a specialist community-based expert resource that provides education, support and treatment to empower people living with diabetes to live independent, healthy lives.Our team of specialist nurses, dietitians and educators work closely with other... Back to top Neurological Who we areA team of physiotherapists who have a specialist interest and knowledge of a wide range of neurological and developmental difficulties. We work with other children’s therapy services (eg- paediatrician’s, Occupational therapists, speech and language therapists) to provide a... Back to top Children’s Musculoskeletal Who we areWe are a team of physiotherapists and podiatrists who specialise in assessing and treating children with biomechanical issues. We see children from birth – age of 16.- Our MSK team have specialist knowledge and skills to enables them... Back to top Dynamic Mattress Service Dynamic Mattresses for Pressure Area Care/PreventionWe provide Dynamic Mattress Equipment for patients are resident of Medway and registered with a Medway GP. The equipment is clinically designed to support pressure ulcer prevention/treatment and enhance patient comfort through intelligent alternating air... Back to top Types of hearing loss Sensorineural hearing lossSome children have sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) – this usually means that the cochlea (part of the inner ear) is not working effectively. Less often this means that the auditory nerve (the route from the inner ear to... Back to top Children’s Podiatry Who we areWe are registered with the Healthcare Professions Council and hold either a Master’s Degree or a Science Degree in our chosen field. We are actively involved in continued learning at local and national level to ensure the best... Back to top End of life facilitators About the teamEnd of Life Facilitators work closely with residents, families, care home staff and GPs, to ensure each resident receives high quality care to meet their needs and to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions where possible. The team offers support... Back to top Speech sounds Speech sounds are the building blocks of words and are the top of the communication pyramid. Speech sound development is important because a change in a single sound can completely change the meaning of the word. For example, if a... Back to top Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Who we areWe are a team of speech and language therapists and technical instructors with specialist interests and knowledge in all communication related disorders. We work across several clinical sites and will see your child for assessment and treatment at... Back to top Core standards These core standards are aimed to help parents and professionals identify areas that a child may be having difficulties with and explore appropriate strategies through practise and play.Core standards has a holistic focus and includes support with sensory, physical and... Back to top Falls prevention team About the teamThe Falls Prevention Team is part of the community rehabilitation team which is made up of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Rehabilitation Assistants whose advanced skills provide comprehensive multifactorial assessments to patients in Medway with a history of falls... Back to top Foundation skills for communication To be able to communicate with others we need to be able to focus and attend to what someone is saying. We also need develop skills to enable us to interact with those around us. These skills can include developing... Back to top Hand therapy The occupational therapists based within this team provide specialist assessments, goal orientated treatment, splinting, assessment of activities of daily living, advice and education including return to work for patients with a wide range of musculo-skeletal, neurological, rheumatological conditions and for... Back to top Childrens nursing Who we areThe Children’s Community Nursing Service is an experienced team of children’s nurses who provide nursing care, advice and support to children with acute and chronic illnesses. We work with other specialist community health care teams, local and specialist... Back to top Heart services (cardiology) About the teamThe MCH Cardiology team provide a wide range of Cardiology care across Medway through 5 specialist services:The Arrhythmia serviceThe Arrhythmia service assists with the diagnosis and treatment of people with abnormal heart rhythms, such as, atrial fibrillation, ventricular... Back to top Understanding and using spoken language Understanding spoken language can sometimes be referred to as ‘receptive language’ or ‘comprehension’ of language. In simple terms, this is ‘understanding what words mean’. Children develop their understanding of the meaning of words by hearing the word used at the... Back to top Antenatal and Postnatal depression Who we areHealth Visitors visit families before the baby is born and afterwards we monitor health and wellbeing of families with children up to seven years old. Part of our work is to help parents manage their emotional health.What we... Back to top Integrated locality review team (ILR) About the teamThe Medway Integrated Locality Review (ILR) Team is a multi-disciplinary team of specialists set up as part of the Medway Local Plan. The ILR Team meet weekly via Teams, to discuss patients who have been referred with multiple... Back to top Understanding information carrying words/key words An information carrying word (ICW) also known as ‘key word’, is a word that carries meaning in an instruction. For a word to count as an ICW or key word the child has to make a ‘choice’ of some sort to... Back to top Holding hands Welcome to Holding Hands, the page that guides parents to the right support groups depending on their situation. Here you will find groups that will provide:Please click on the relevant buttons below, to view which groups can help you. Additional support School... Back to top Intermediate care What is intermediate care?Intermediate care prevents unnecessarily prolonged hospital stays or inappropriate admission to alternative inpatient settings. It provides a structured individual care plan that involves active therapy, treatment or opportunity for recovery.We aim to promote independent living in your... Back to top Using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication that supports or replaces speech. AAC enables children and young people to express their thoughts, needs and ideas. Using AAC will not impact on speech development. Research suggests AAC supports... Back to top Children’s feeding clinics Infants and children and young people (CYP) seen in MCH’s Children’s Feeding Clinics can have difficulties with feeding and/or swallowing and/or have difficulties with gaining adequate nutrition and hydration in order to grow and develop in a safe and healthy... Back to top Learning disability nursing Who we areThe children’s learning disability nursing service is a small team of learning disability nurses who specialise in supporting children and their families either in small groups or 1:1.What do we doThe key areas we cover are:We specialise in... Back to top Teenager activities Chatham Table Tennis ClubThe Howard School,Derwent Way,Rainham,Kent ME8 0BXFriday evenings 5.30pm – no need to book, just turn up.Childrens with disabilities welcome.Great club for children to interact and make new friends. ASD children have found this supportive and friendly.www.cttc.co.ukMedway ParkMedway... Back to top Local care We provide a wide range of health and care services across Medway for adults 18 years and older. These services may be delivered in your own home or in clinics located across Medway.We also provide palliative support to people and... Back to top
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