The highest civic distinction, the Freedom of Medway, has officially been granted to the Medway NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the staff at Medway Maritime Hospital.
At a Special Council meeting in October 2023, councillors agreed to award honorary freedom of the borough to recognise the contribution of the hospital’s staff to the community.
On Thursday, 25 April, more than 100 people, including hospital staff from a number of roles, civic dignitaries and representatives from Medway Council, attended an event at Rochester Corn Exchange where the honour was officially awarded.
The honorary freedom of the borough is the highest civic distinction that can be given to individuals or collective bodies in recognition of outstanding service or civic association, ensuring that their memory is maintained within the community.
Medway Maritime Hospital was originally opened as a Royal Naval hospital in 1905 by King Edward VII. It was acquired by the NHS in 1961 and underwent a £1.5million modernisation scheme before being opened to the public in 1965.
Today, the hospital serves a population of more than 427,000 people across Medway and Swale, and provides clinical services to almost half a million patients a year.
The Trust is also one of Medway’s largest employers with around 5,000 staff, and almost 400 volunteers who provide support through the League of Friends, Hospital Radio and the Voluntary Services Department.
Thank you for everything you do
Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “It was a privilege to award the Freedom of Medway to Medway NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of their outstanding staff, as well as the hundreds of volunteers that selflessly give up their time to help our community. We made the decision to award this honour last year, during the 75th anniversary of the NHS, to formally show Medway’s appreciation for the incredible work that each and every person who works at Medway Maritime Hospital does. These are people who are there for all of us at some of our highest and lowest points, ready to provide the support and care needed. On behalf of the whole of Medway – thank you for everything you do.”
A great honour
Jayne Black, Chief Executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is a great honour for the Trust to receive this prestigious accolade and I would like to sincerely thank Medway Council on behalf of all our incredibly hard working staff who care for our patients across Medway and Swale. That their compassionate care and determination to put patients first has been recognised in this unique way is deeply appreciated.”