Bright future for two of our hospitals

Two hospitals we run are now officially part of the KCHFT family.

The buildings that are home to Tonbridge Cottage Hospital and Victoria Hospital in Deal, transferred to the trust thanks to a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) initiative.

It invited applications by NHS trusts to take ownership or the management of healthcare buildings from NHS Property Services. KCHFT now owns Victoria Hospital, in Deal, and has taken on a new lease for Tonbridge Cottage Hospital.

Natalie Davies, Director of Corporate Services at KCHFT, said: “We firmly believe buildings should be owned locally, generating benefits for patients, communities and colleagues.

“These are exciting developments for everyone who works, uses, visits and volunteers at these hospitals.

“Both sites have benefitted from improvements in the past year. At Tonbridge, a new nurses’ station, wet rooms and call bell system were installed and at Deal the ward was redecorated and an urgent treatment centre opened. “Investment will continue and residents can feel assured these sites will deliver healthcare into the future.”

KCHFT is also looking at what other buildings it may ask to be transferred to its ownership.