A private healthcare facility has been bought by the NHS in a bid to reduce waiting lists.

Spire Healthcare has sold its hospital in Fordcombe Road, Penshurst, to the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW).

The purchase will allow the trust to carry out more procedures for patients.

MTW already looks after two hospitals – Maidstone in Hermitage Lane and Tunbridge Wells in Tonbridge Road.

The private hospital has two operating theatres and 28 inpatient and day care beds.

It also features diagnostic machines such as X-ray, MRI, CT and endoscopy, as well as a number of consultation and treatment rooms.

It is currently used to treat both private and NHS patients.

Following a transition period some NHS patients will be able to access care at the Spire Tunbridge Wells site.

It will help free up capacity at the two other existing hospitals.

Trust chief executive, Miles Scott said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the NHS in Kent and Medway and we are really pleased to be a part of it.

“It will enable us to develop planned procedures and diagnostic services and I am delighted this investment will benefit patients across our communities.

“By working in collaboration with the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board and NHS partners, the facility will enable us to improve patient experience by reducing waiting lists and supporting the increase in demand all hospitals are responding to.”

Following the purchase there will be a transition period – expected to be around six months – while MTW works on the development and integration of services.

The hospital has 173 staff, who are all set to be employed by the trust.

During the transition, Spire will continue to run the hospital and patient care will continue as normal.

Once this has been completed the management will be taken over by MTW.

Mr Scott added: “MTW continues to be one of the best-performing hospital trusts in the country against a backdrop of record-breaking attendances and colleagues recently ranked the trust in the top 10 hospital trusts in England to work for.

“Our focus now is on welcoming and supporting the Spire Tunbridge Wells staff and working with our clinical teams on the development of services at the new facility.”