NHS trust buys private hospital to cut wait times

The trust runs the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury and has bought an extra site

A hospital trust has bought a private hospital in a bid to tackle long waiting times in Kent and Medway.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust (MTW) bought Spire Hospital in Fordcombe, near Tunbridge Wells, for £10m earlier this year.

About 2,500 patients who have been waiting for over 65 weeks are expected to receive treatment by the end of this financial year.

The first group of 400 patients to be treated includes those in gastroenterology, pain management, ENT (ear, nose and throat) treatment, trauma and orthopaedics.

MTW chief executive Miles Scott told a board meeting: “The extra capacity the site enables us to provide across our hospitals will support the NHS across Kent and Medway.”

Not all patients will be treated at the new Fordcombe Hospital.

They may also be seen at other MTW sites utilizing the additional capacity.

Under the plan, MTW will fully take over the hospital after a transition period.

During the transition period, Spire staff will continue to run the hospital and maximize NHS capacity.