The high-tech operating equipment at Benenden Hospital is some of the most advanced and well maintained in the country, according to an audit carried out by the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons (ALS).
As there are such rapid technological developments in the field of laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery the President of the ALS initiated the audit to see if surgeons were using the most up to date and properly maintained equipment.
In a pilot study for the survey, NHS and private hospitals in Kent and Wales were audited and awarded a rating for the standard of their laparoscopic instruments, with gold representing the best.
In Kent, Benenden Hospital, near Cranbrook, was rated gold – one of only three surveyed in the county to achieve this standard. Only one hospital in Wales surveyed was awarded gold.
“We are continually investing in the hospital in order to provide our patients with the best care possible and we are delighted to receive the seal of approval from the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons,” said hospital director Jane Abbott.
Last week one of the world’s leading laparoscopic surgeons was at the hospital to demonstrate some of the latest surgical techniques to doctors from throughout the UK.
Mr Heine Van der Walt operated on patients at the hospital with a live satellite link beamed direct to the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons’ conference.
He was assisted by the hospital’s surgeons and theatre staff, and medical director Fazal Hasan and his team gave presentations on laparoscopic hernia repairs and fundoplications.
The hospital is also celebrating the seal of approval from its patients with over 99 per cent of patients who responded to a recent survey saying their treatment was either ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’. The hospital is infection-free and recently scooped six out of 12 of the Healthcare 100 Awards for best employer accolades.
Benenden Hospital is an independent hospital providing high quality diagnostic, surgical and medical services. Its services are for everyone - whether members of the Benenden Healthcare Society which owns the hospital, NHS patients referred through the NHS Patient Choice programme or private patients.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Lawrence Christensen, Head of Communications Benenden Healthcare Society 0845 052 5787 lawrence.christensen@benenden.org.uk
or
Alison Hardy/ Georgette McCready, Maxim, on 01892 513033 / Alison@maxim-pr.co.uk georgette@maxim-pr.co.uk
Notes for editors
Benenden Healthcare Society
Benenden Healthcare is a mutual & not for profit Friendly Society, run for members. As a mutual organisation, not a medical insurer, members club together so that they can get the first class medical help they need, when they need it most.
Benenden Healthcare is one of the UK’s longest serving and most respected mutual healthcare societies. The Society has a membership of over 940,000 and is currently open to all public sector workers and their families as well as employees of organisations whose aims and objectives are compatible with the Society.
Benenden Hospital
Benenden Hospital was founded in 1907 and became the centre for hospital treatment for members of Trade Unions and Friendly Societies and subsequently large numbers of public sector employees who joined what is now the Benenden Healthcare Society. The Society has a membership of over 940,000.
In recent years the hospital has increasingly been able to provide services for patients who are not members of the Benenden Healthcare Society. Local National Health Services are increasing their use of the Hospital’s facilities as are patients who wish to use private medical insurance or who wish to pay directly for their own hospital care.
The hospital places great emphasis on quality providing comfortable, clean and infection free accommodation and a range of clinical services which are tailored to meet the needs of individual patients. The hospital has a Matron – a senior and experienced professional – who has the authority to resolve problems and to make sure the patient pathway is both effective and patient friendly. The hospital recently scooped five out of 12 of the Healthcare 100 Awards for best employer accolades.
