UNION representatives fear radical proposals for changes to healthcare in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells will devalue the service being offered to people living in the Maidstone area.

Members of health service union UNISON plan to hold meetings with members at both Maidstone and Pembury at the end of this month to discuss the plans unveiled last week.

They are concerned that any movement of services away from Maidstone will mean a reduction in quality of service there.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells UNISON branch secretary, Marion Birch, said: "We are concerned because it is devaluing the service at Maidstone.

"It seems to me that when you have got a brand new hospital over at Maidstone it is only 20 years old it doesn't make sense to move things over to Pembury and Tunbridge Wells."

Mrs Birch added: "We have a lot of concerns about the plans in general."