Darent Valley Hospital has been named among the best hospitals in the country.

Delighted hospital chiefs from the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust were patting staff - and themselves - on the back after the announcement by analysts awarded the Top Hospital status.

Also in the the top 40 was the neighbouring Medway NHS Foundation Trust with which the hospital hopes to merge later this year.

The hospitals were praised for their performance in safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and care quality.

It included how both had dealt with superbugs, improving staff morale, and preventing people coming back into hospital unnecessarily after treatment.