A hospitals trust that faced a £23 million deficit two years ago has been removed from special measures.

In August 2016, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust was plunged into special measure amid concerns after facing a multi-million pound funding gap for 2016/2017.

Since then the trust's deficit has been cut by £15 million after a shake up of the trust's board saw its former chief executive Glenn Douglas step down and Miles Scott step in.

Next month a staff shake up will see senior doctors and nurses given managerial roles, in a bid to a create a clinically-led trust.

NHS Improvement, the body that placed the trust in special measures will continue to monitor the trust while it implements a long term financial plan.

Stephen Hay, deputy chief executive and executive director of regulation at NHS Improvement said: "This decision reflects the determination and hard work of all staff at the trust over the last two years to deliver major improvements in their financial performance.

"While there remains more to do, everyone at the trust should be congratulated for their contribution to reach this landmark.

"There is strong evidence to show that high quality care and financial grip go hand in hand. The trust must now maintain these improvements in financial management while continuously improving the quality of, and access to, services for local patients."

Ian Ayres, managing director of Medway, north and west Kent clinical commissioning groups, said: "I am delighted that Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is out of financial special measures, and would like to thank all the staff for their hard work in achieving this.

"It was largely done by doctors, nurses and other clinicians leading work to improve the quality and efficiency of services, which both reduced costs and improved patient experience. This is good news for patients in west Kent and the wider area."