A hospital in Kent will close next month.

Staff at Fawkham Manor in Longfield were told about the closure today.

The decision has been made as it was no longer "commercially viable" to run the hospital.

The hospital in Manor Lane, which provides NHS-funded, insured and private patients, is expected to close on June 7, subject to consultation with the 85 members of staff.

Patients will be contacted for advice and the intention is to proceed with 240 planned procedures of follow up appointments.

They will also try and find alternative options for around 200 people whose follow-up appointments are after June 7.

Around 90 people will have their treatments or appointments cancelled

A spokesman said: “The hospital is held in high esteem in the community and our staff and consultants have provided a good level of care for our NHS and private patients.

"We would like to thank patients for choosing Fawkham Manor and for the kind comments we receive every day.

“The hospital is held in high esteem in the community and our staff and consultants have provided a good level of care..." hospital spokesman

“However, after having looked at current and future patient numbers and current and future financial performance, we have concluded that it is no longer commercially viable to run the hospital.

“We will be contacting patients over the next few days to advise them of next steps and would ask them to bear with us while we and their consultants identify options for them.

“While we can carry out some procedures, it’s important that we do not start treatment for people where we would not be able to finish it. In addition, it’s important that we work with the consultant and patient to find options suitable for that patient if their follow-up appointment falls after the closure date.”

Call the patient contact line on 0800 096 2254 if you have any urgent inquiries about the closure.

BMI also closed Sommerfield Hospital in Maidstone last month.

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