Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells above average in first FFT scores

This gave it a combined net promoter score from both A&E and inpatients of 69 for the quarter, which was above the national average of 64.

However, it had a combined A&E and inpatients response rate of 7.2 per cent for the quarter, compared to the national average of 13.3 per cent.

The first dataset from the patient experience test was published by NHS England on 30 July, covering April, May and June.

For A&E wards, the trust scored 55 in April, 56 in May and 60 in June. The response rate was 3 per cent in April, 3.3 per cent in May and 2.8 per cent in June – far below the government’s 15 per cent target.

For inpatient wards, it scored 68 in April, 78 in May and 77 in June. The response rate was 20.1 per cent in April, 14.1 per cent in May and 16.1 per cent in June.

The test is based on one question: “how likely are you to recommend our ward/A&E department to your friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?”

Patients are presented with six responses ranging from “extremely likely” through to “extremely unlikely”, which are linked to scores ranging from 100 through to -100.

None of its wards achieved negative scores for any month during the quarter.