Hospital sees massive jump in student capacity

The trust is increasing the number of medical students it hosts annually from 37 to 173

An NHS trust has seen its capacity to host medical students and trainee doctors increase massively thanks to a new building.

The site at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Kent will see 350% more students being trained, the local trust said.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust added that the site enables students to live closer to the hospital.

Miles Scott, the trust's chief executive, added: "This building is giving medical students an excellent experience while they are training, helping us attract and retain future generations of exceptional doctors as they can live, learn and work close to their clinical placements."

The new building has been established in partnership with Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS), along with King's College London and City St George's, University of London.

The ground floor of the six-storey building houses a learning hub, private study, offices and flats with communal kitchens, dining and living areas.

The building also has solar panels, a green roof, and more than 70 bicycle spaces.

Prof Chris Holland, founding dean of KMMS and a consultant in intensive care medicine, said: "Our aim is to attract talented students from all backgrounds and deliver opportunities to help transform the future of healthcare.

"This building helps our future doctors get the most out of the clinical placements that are such a vital part of their training."