Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital

For young people: If you’re coming to KMAH, take a look at our welcome pack for young people coming to KMAH. It was created with young people who have stayed here, to help you know what to expect.

For parents and carers: If you’re supporting a young person coming to KMAH, read our information booklet for parents and carers to find out what to expect and what you need to know.

KMAH is a mixed unit. This means young people of different genders are cared for on the same ward.

We can care for up to 14 young people at a time, although the ward will not always be full.

We offer different types of treatment and support depending on each young person's needs. These include:

• Medication
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Social activities
• Creative activities
• Being part of the Kent and Medway Hospital community
• Eating disorder pathway

Young people who have stayed at KMAH recommend bringing the items below. You can also find a packing list in your welcome pack.

• Comfortable clothes and shoes. Please do not bring clothes with drawstrings. We will gently remove drawstrings if needed.
• Toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, face masks, shower gel, soap and sanitary products. Don't worry if you do not have these, as we can provide them. Please do not bring glass bottles.
• Things that remind you of home, such as photos of family, friends or pets, or anything that helps you feel connected to home.
• Things to keep you busy, such as activity books, reading books, puzzles, playing cards, colouring books, pens and pencils.
• Your favourite cuddly toy and blanket. You can bring one of each. Your blanket must be taken home once a week to be washed.
• Stress or fidget toys, such as a Tangle, squishy toy, slime, fidget spinner or cube, Rubik's Cube, mesh ball, fidget ball or liquid bubble timer.
• Your phone. Your welcome pack explains when you can and cannot use it.
• Wireless headphones or earphones so you can listen to music without disturbing other people. Please do not play music out loud.
• Labels for your belongings to help stop things getting lost.

Please do not bring:

• Alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapes, lighters or matches
• Aerosols, such as spray deodorant or hairspray
• Flowers or potted plants
• Metal containers
• Detergents or chemical products
• Food or drinks that are already open
• Medication, unless it has been prescribed for you
• CDs, DVDs or discs
• Knives, sharp tools, razor blades, disposable razors or scissors
• Plastic bags, cling film, chewing gum, Blu Tack, sticky tape or other sticky items
• Glass items, including perfume bottles, mirrors and make-up bottles
• Solvents, such as nail polish remover or glue, batteries or liquids that can catch fire
• Tape recorders, cameras or other things that can record or take photos. Mobile phones are allowed.
• Ring binders
• Wires, string, rope or cords, including clothes with drawstrings or cords
• Magnets
• Keys
• Firearms or imitation firearms
• Pornographic material

For everyone's safety, there may be other things you cannot keep on the ward. If you bring something you cannot keep, don't worry. We will return it to your parent or carer. Please ask us if you have any questions.

Visiting times
Monday to Friday: 4:00pm to 8:30pm
Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: 9:30am to 8:30pm

Visits take place in a private room away from the main ward. If a visitor is under 18, please use the family room near reception. Please let us know before you visit so we can make sure a room is available.

If the young person can leave the ward, parents and carers can take them out in the evenings or at weekends.

Please speak to staff first if you need to visit outside normal visiting times.

By car

• Leave the M20 at Junction 8.
• Follow signs for the A274 towards Sutton Valence.
• Stay on the A274 into Staplehurst.
• The hospital is down a private road off Cranbrook Road. Look for signs for the hospital and Iden Manor Care Home.
• Free parking is available. Please follow the signs when you arrive.
• If you are using sat nav, the address is:
  • Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital
    Cranbrook Road
    Staplehurst
    Kent TN12 0ER

By public transport

• Take a Southeastern train towards Ashford International or Dover Priory, from London Charing Cross, London Bridge, London Waterloo East or Tonbridge.
• Get off at Staplehurst railway station.
• From the station, you can take the Arriva Route 5 bus towards Hawkhurst or Maidstone, or a local community bus along Cranbrook Road.
• Ask the driver to stop at the turning for Iden Manor.
• The hospital entrance is clearly signposted. It is about 200 to 300 metres from the main road, so there is a short walk.
• You can also walk from Staplehurst station. It is nearly two miles and some parts are uphill.