HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn was loud and clear about improvements that are on the way for NHS services in Mid Kent at a topping-out ceremony at Maidstone's new ophthalmic and aural unit.

The Secretary of State performed the ceremony at Maidstone Hospital's new £13m n eye, ear and mouth unit. He told frontline staff the new unit was the first down payment in a much broader programme to improve the NHS locally.

He was referring to the multi-million pound Private Finance Initiative Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is pursuing to transform hospital services in the area.

The Health Secretary put the final roof tile in place at the unit. The massive extension to the hospital in Hermitage Lane will replace the old Kent County Ophthalmic and Aural Hospital and opens in April next year.

Mr Milburn told staff the development at the hospital had given him a welcome lift after England's defeat against Brazil earlier in the morning.

He added: "The new unit will make a real difference for patients for two reasons. First, it will increase the number of patients that can be seen and second, it is part and parcel of a much broader programme to improve the NHS locally. It is pleasing to see the building work here and it's the first down payment to giving this area the modern facilities it deserves."

Mr Milburn said the unit couldn't come a moment too soon for staff working at KCOAH. He added: "They will be working in a better environment and it will also provide patients with modern up-to-date facilities which as a country we should be aspiring to provide." Mr Milburn was greeted by trust chief executive Stephen Collinson and trust chairman Anne Chapman. The Health Secretary talked to staff about the NHS after the ceremony and was praised for his openness and willingness to discuss serious issues facing the NHS.

Ms Chapman said: "We had an excellent opportunity to meet the Minister and show him this wonderful state-of-the-art development. "We were delighted staff had an opportunity to meet Mr Milburn and the discussions they had were open and honest and we are glad he was here to celebrate the topping out of the new unit."

Mr Collinson added: "Mr Milburn demonstrated an understanding of the pressures facing our staff and was very positive about future developments at Maidstone and our scheme at Pembury. "

Chris Davison, general manager covering ophthalmology services, was one of the staff who questioned Mr Milburn. He said: "I think we were all left with the impression of a Secretary of State who acknowledges the hard work and commitment of frontline staff. He had a good grasp and understanding of the pressures we face on a day to day basis and thanked us genuinely for the hard work that goes in."