A new mental health hospital has launched a recruitment drive for 150 staff members including nurses, clinicians and care workers.

Cygnet Health Care, based at the new Kent Medical Campus in Maidstone, is looking to take on a variety of part and full-time jobs, which also includes HR, administrative, management and operational staff.

The new hospital, off Bearsted Road, is purpose-built to low secure standards to meet the latest NHS specifications for improving mental health within a therapeutic environment.

The hospital’s services have been requested and agreed by local and regional NHS bodies to meet the urgent demand for specialist mental health services within Kent to ensure that local people can be treated close to home and as near as possible to their friends and family.

Councillor Martin Cox, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council, commented: “We welcome the Cygnet Maidstone Hospital as a flagship development at the Kent Medical Campus. The facility will bring a vital new service to the people of Kent as well as new jobs and investment to Maidstone. The opening of this modern hospital will further underline Kent’s international reputation as a growing leader in health, science and education.”

Nicky McLeod, Chief Operating Officer at Cygnet Health Care, added: “The Cygnet Hospital Maidstone will deliver a top-quality service for local patients. It is an important development for us and we are pleased to be providing hundreds of jobs for the wider Kent community and are delighted at the interest already received.

“We are looking to attract a diverse range of talent and skills from people who share our passion and commitment to caring for some of society’s most vulnerable people.”

Cygnet Health Care has been providing a national network of specialised mental health services for over 30 years in partnership with the NHS and local authorities.

The hospital, which is due to be open in September 2018, will be registered, licensed and regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

There will also be an opportunity for local residents to visit the new hospital at an open day in September.