A HOSPITAL has pledged to put more emphasis on cleaning and hygiene following complaints from patients and their families.

Dozens of people wrote to the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust after reading a striking article by Maidstone and the Weald MP Ann Widdecombe (Con) in August.

Writing exclusively in the , she said she had noticed an increase in letters from her constituents complaining about care for the elderly and hygiene standards at Maidstone Hospital.

Now health chiefs have admitted the public response was a "salutary lesson" and have pledged to improve the service.

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