Building work on a £225 million Kent hospital, which promises to "set new standards in patient care", has got Government approval to go ahead.

Work should start this month and the first patients could be using the new Pembury Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, early in 2011.

Health secretary Alan Johnson yesterday put the final seal on plans for the PFI-funded 512-bed hospital which will replace Pembury Hospital, which still has some Victorian buildings.

It will offer planned and emergency surgery, orthopaedic procedures, maternity services, day case surgery and outpatient services.

Glenn Douglas, chief executive of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: "Pembury Hospital will set a new standard in NHS care."

Tunbridge Wells MP, Greg Clark (Con), said: "The whole community has campaigned so long for the new Pembury Hospital to be built and after years of frustration and setback we now have the final go-ahead."

Meanwhile, plans for a £50 million hospital have won the backing of local councillors. And if it goes ahead the Ashford Centre for Clinical Excellence won't hit taxpayers pockets.

Circle Ltd, a London-based partnership, hopes to open the private hospital on the Eureka Business Park, Ashford, in 2010.

One of its partners William Dunnet, an orthopaedic surgeon at William Harvey Hospital, told councillors: "We want to provide the best healthcare we can and it will not cost council taxpayers a single penny."