Trust reviewing 9,000 patients lost from waiting list

A trust has launched an independent investigation examining nearly 9,000 patients who were “lost to first appointment or follow up”, with some waiting up to five years, HSJ can reveal.

The 8,849 patients were meant to be seen by an ear, nose and throat service that is run by Medway Foundation Trust but also operates out of the Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford.

The majority of the patients involved come from the areas served by the Darent Valley Hospital rather than the Medway towns and Swale, which are served by Medway Maritime Hospital. They include patients from North Kent and the London boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley.

HSJ understands that 4,279 patients have not had a first appointment after being referred into the ENT services, and 4,570 were left waiting for a follow-up appointment. Around 20% of the patients involved are children and the remainder adults, with a small number having waited as long as five years for an appointment.

Medway FT has now tried to contact all patients as part of a validation process and is sending duty of candour letters to them.

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Source: HSJ, 18 July 2025