Accident and emergency services in the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trusts' hospitals have been rated average, according to new results from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC uses national surveys to find out about the experience of people who use NHS services.

During 2014 a questionnaire was sent to 850 people who attended an accident and emergency (A&E) department during January, February or March 2014.

Responses were received from 307 patients at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and it scored 'average' in seven out of eight sections.

It was rated 'above average' for the way it handles arrivals at the hospitals and the quality of reception areas.

Below is a list of the scores given to the trust:

• Arrival at A&E - 8.5/10 - Above Average
• Waiting times - 6.2/10 - Average
• Doctors and nurses - 8.3/10 - Average
• Care and treatment - 7.9/10 - Average
• Tests - 8.6/10 - Average
• Hospital environment and facilities - 8.5/10 - Average
• Leaving A&E - 6.15/10 - Average
• Experience overall - 8.1/10 - Average

The CQC does not provide a single overall rating for each NHS Trust as it believes it would be misleading as the survey assesses a number of different aspects of people's experiences.

In its report it said: "The structure of the questionnaire also means that there are a different number of questions in each section.

"This means that it is not possible to compare trusts overall. It is better to look at the trusts in your area and see how they perform across the aspects that are most important to you."

Medway Maritime Hospital was labelled below average, with only one out of eight sections scoring average.

It was given scores as low as five out of 10 for services waiting times and the service given to those leaving A&E.

For more information or to take a closer look at your hospital's rating, visit: http://www.cqc.org.uk/