insideKENT Magazine Issue 95 - February 2020 | Page 144

NEWS
KIMS HOSPITAL
ACQUIRES SEVENOAKS
MEDICAL CENTRE
KIMS Hospital, the largest independent hospital in
Kent, has acquired Sevenoaks Medical Centre on
London Road, Sevenoaks as part of its commitment
to providing local people with fast access to safe,
outstanding and affordable healthcare close to
where they live.
Commenting on the acquisition, KIMS
Hospital CEO, Simon James said, “I am delighted
that Sevenoaks Medical Centre, along with the
great team who work there, are now part of
KIMS Hospital.
“For people who live in Sevenoaks and the
surrounding areas, this means they can choose to
see a consultant and be diagnosed close to where
they live. The centre is very accessible, opposite
Sevenoaks railway station and with easy access from
the A21, M20 and M25.
“If patients need further specialist treatment or
surgery, there is a direct and straightforward clinical
pathway into KIMS Hospital in Maidstone. This
gives patients in West Kent the choice of accessing
healthcare within the county as an alternative to
having to travel into London.”
Patients visiting Sevenoaks Medical Centre when it
opens in February 2020 will be able to access a
BRIDGING THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE:
CHILDREN JOIN CARE HOME RESIDENTS FOR
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Welcoming the year of the golden
rat, pupils of Bishop Chavasse
Primary School spent their bi-weekly
visit with their older friends at Barnes
Lodge Care Home learning about
Chinese New Year.
A new report by United for All Ages
has suggested that Britain is one of
the most generationally segregated
countries in the world and must take
action to end "age apartheid”. The
report suggests bringing babies and
toddlers into care homes to learn
and play together, something Barnes
Lodge has been doing for quite some
time now.
The children from the reception
class at the nearby school rang in
the New Year at the Tudeley Lane care home helping their friends get stuck into a craft project, making
their own Chinese lanterns.
The children have been visiting residents at the care home for almost two years and have developed
a real bond with their older friends. From learning about Remembrance Day and writing poems to
fun singalongs, they have all learnt a lot from one another and continue to embrace the intergenerational
project.
Intergenerational projects are proven to be beneficial for all involved, they have the potential to improve
the well-being of older people, reduce stigma associated with aging and discrimination against older
people. The projects also support youth development, helping to improve reading and listening skills.
Nicky Pett, general manager of Barnes Lodge said: “We started this project with Bishop Chavasse
nearly two years ago, and since then, they’ve visited every week and some of our residents have even
been to the school. It’s been lovely to watch the relationships develop, the children bring so much joy
and even the quieter residents come out of their shell and want to get involved when they’re here. It
really is a wonderful project to be a part of.”
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wide range of services including MRI, CT,
mammography, X-ray, private GP and
physiotherapy. Specialities include; orthopaedics,
cardiology, breast care services, gynaecology and
women’s health, general surgery, and cosmetic and
plastic surgery.
KENT LIFE
ANNOUNCES EVENT
DATES FOR ITS 35TH
ANNIVERSARY YEAR
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, the 28 -acre
working farm and visitor attraction situated in
Sandling, Maidstone, has announced new dates for
its programme of eighteen seasonal events in
2020, which will see the venue celebrate its 35th
Anniversary.
The complete seasonal events programme runs
throughout 2020, from February to December and
includes lambing, bugs and grubs with the Gruffalo,
VE Day celebrations; Kent psychic Marcus
Cinganelli, Animalympics!, the Hops ‘n’ Harvest
Beer Festival, and events for Halloween and
Christmas; as well as a special highlight event to
mark 35 years since the attraction first opened its
doors on 6 July 1985: See Peter Rabbit! Marking 35
years of Kent Life, on Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 July,
10am - 5pm.