CONSULTANTS, council leaders and relatives of the victims of superbug outbreaks will join forces tonight to help ensure high standards at Maidstone Hospital and boost public confidence in hospital services.

The Save Maidstone Hospital Rally, at Mote Hall in Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, at 7.30pm tonight has been organised by the Kent Messenger and Downs Mail newspapers.

It aims to enable local people to express their views to the Government and NHS trusts about the future of Maidstone Hospital, in the light of the two C-diff outbreaks at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust investigated by the Healthcare Commission.

There will be six motions put to the meeting, which will be voted on.

They are that the services at Maidstone Hospital are fit for purpose, a resolution to be proposed by Cllr Fran Wilson, leader of Maidstone council, and seconded by MP for Maidstone and the Weald, Ann Widdecombe.

A proposal to set up a Maidstone area Health Watch independent group will be proposed by Kent County Council’s leader, Cllr Paul Carter.

There will also be a proposal to dissolve the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and replace it with a more suitable trust area, proposed by the MP for Mid Kent, Hugh Robertson.

The need for a full A&E unit at Maidstone Hospital, to include emergency surgery and a chronic pain unit will be highlighted by a proposal by consultant Akbar Soorma, and seconded by Marie South, consultant surgeon.

A resolution that plans to move maternity services for complicated births from Maidstone to Pembury should be abanondoned will be put to the meeting by retired maternity consultant Alan Pentecost, and a further proposal to ensure a need for a Maidstone stroke unit it recognised will be put by honorary secretary of the Maidstone division of the BMA, Roger Hart.

There will also be a chance for members of the public to give their views. Tickets will be available on the door.