A new NHS Trust boss has been appointed to take forward services in north Kent.

Jonathan Wade will takeover the running of Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford and other local hospitals in September following the departure of the outgoing chief executive.

He will step up to the role having served as Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust's chief operating officer for the last eight months.

In that role he has been responsible for leading the operational performance of the organisation.

Jonathan first joined the Trust as director of operations in January 2020.

Prior to this he worked at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings’ Lynn where he was chief operating officer.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am honoured and excited to take on this challenge.

"I am committed to continuing Louise’s collaboration in a way that brings our people with us and uses our combined efforts and drive to address inequalities in health.

"Together, I am confident we will become an outstanding organisation.”

Jonathon will replace outgoing CEO Louise Ashley who will formally step down to join the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London.

Under her watch the hospital has been praised by the health watchdog for its continued efforts to heed previous criticisms of A&E standards.

It has also succeeded in balancing the books after inspectors raised concerns previously about the hospital's coffers following the recording of a near £20m deficit.

Peter Coles, the Trust chairman, said: “I am immensely grateful for all Louise Ashley’s contribution to improving the quality and care for our patients and population and she will be missed.

"Jonathan has a wealth of strategic experience at an executive leadership level and will continue to provide the resilience to help the Trust meet the challenges and changes facing the health service.”

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust provides services to approximately 350,000 people across Dartford, Gravesend, Swanley and Bexley.

It has now been rated "good" by the Care Quality Commission in two recent inspections – first in 2019 and again in 2022.