A new contractor is expected to be announced for two local hospitals next month.

Gravesham Community Hospital in Gravesend and the Livingstone Hospital in Dartford, currently run by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, are both up for grabs.

The NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) covering the towns are continuing to invite bids, with the total value of the contract on offer thought to be in the region of £20m per year.

In a statement to the Messenger, the CCGs promised that patients could expect the same level of care to continue once the process is complete.

“Re-procurement of services is a recognised element of good commissioning, and is part of best practice to ensure the Commissioners access and understand the options available for the best possible service provision,” said a spokesman.

“The process helps CCGs understand how healthcare providers are providing high quality care to patients, which represents good value, meeting the needs of the people they serve.”

A series of interviews and presentations have taken place since the CCGs began their search for a new tender in November last year, with several public meetings also held.

Patients have been promised that the process is being handled by “a dedicated project team composed of clinical, commissioning and subject matter experts”.

“The Commissioners have specified that irrespective of which organisation is successful in this process, there should be no change to the types of services already provided prior to the appropriate and required consultations,” the spokesman continued.

“Patients will continue to receive the same type of community services support as they have done previously.”

“The buildings and properties of service provision locations such as community hospitals are not part of the tender they will continue to be owned by NHS Property Services.”

Although the CCGs have so far refused to give details of the number or names of the organisations involved in the bidding, an announcement is expected on the outcome of the process in the second week of January 2016.