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We
get an exclusive look behind the scenes at the new
hospital

by Nisha Chopra

Kent's newest hospital has run smoothly since it
opened five months ago, health bosses have claimed.

The £230 million Pembury Hospital admitted its first
patients in January following a
sustained campaign against moving Maidstone's maternity services
there.

On Tuesday, health chiefs from Maidstone and Tunbridge
Wells NHS Trust gave it a ringing endorsement.

Speaking at a Tunbridge Wells borough council
meeting they assured the councillors the hospital is
running well.

Following the meeting, trust director Graham Goddard told
KentOnline: "The early feedback we've had from patients and staff
is that the hospital is wonderful."

The move of maternity services proved controversial when mums
24-minute journey by ambulance between Maidstone and Pembury
was too long.

But Mr Goddard said Pembury was better for
mums-to-be.

He added: "The sort of environment we've moved into is very
similar to what we had before.

"But the arrangements around single rooms and a higher nursing
ratio is what you get in the paediatric and maternity wards."

"the early feedback we've had from patients and staff is that the hospital is wonderful…” – graham goddard

Concerns
were raised by the council about issues with public transport
and parking.

Mr Goddard said: "We're finalising negotiations for public
transport routes for the hospital and we can confirm we're
increasing car parking by up to 100 spaces."

Another hiccup incurred by the new hospital was over it's
signposting for the children's ward.

After a kid's competition, one of the wards was named Bluebell,
but this was a name given to a ward used for still borns in the old
hospital.

Graham added: "We had a complaint from a relative and it was no
longer felt appropriate, so its new name is woodland ward.

"With the final move of all services set to go ahead in
September, it's still early days as to whether the huge costs of
the hospital offers an improved service."