A new £30 million private hospital will be accepting its first patients today (Monday).

The One Ashford Hospital, built next to the William Harvey Hospital, has opened its doors for business after months of construction.

Run by One Healthcare, the hospital has 10 consulting rooms, four operating theatres, four treatment rooms, an endoscopy suite, 20 en suite rooms, 10 ambulatory care beds and an MRI and imaging suite.

The hospital, which has bought 90 jobs to the town, is the first One Healthcare centre to be built as part of a planned country-wide string of similar hospitals planned by the company.

Adrian Stevensen, CEO of One Healthcare, said: "We are very excited that One Ashford is now open and working alongside William Harvey Hospital can help care for patients in the area.

"Our objective is to provide the very best level of care for local people, delivered by leading consultants, in state-of-the-art, well equipped and purpose-built hospital facilities.

"We are especially pleased to welcome a number of nurses and clinicians from St Saviour’s Hospital in nearby Hythe which closed last year, who bring with them their fantastic experience while ensuring there will be familiar faces to many local patients."

The hospital has also pioneered a new online booking facility, where patients can book consultations, or appointments on the Internet.

Damian Green, Ashford MP, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome the opening of a new hospital in Ashford. Any increase in medical capacity in the area is good news, as it helps reduce waiting times.

"I know that the One Ashford Hospital team have been working closely with the William Harvey Hospital, and I am sure this will continue into the future.

"I am delighted to see another highly advanced hospital open for people in Kent, and I wish all the staff well."

For more information visit www.onehealthcare.co.uk.