Patients are set to be affected as West Malling Practice moves most of its services to Kings Hill.

Doctor, nurse and healthcare assistants will still be available in West Malling, but in a new place away from the Milverton site, which is no longer fit for purpose.

Last year the practice announced it was selling the Milverton site, but intended to keep services in the town.

KMTV spoke to Cllr Trudy Dean about the plans

Two consulting rooms will be kept open at The Hollies, behind Milverton, from Monday to Friday.

A spokeswoman for the West Malling Medical Group, said: "Renovation work has commenced at Kings Hill surgery as a first step towards the changes at West Malling. It is scheduled to finish towards the end of July.

"Depending on IT infrastructure installation and a final sign off by the West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group we will move the main activities at West Malling into the upstairs in Kings Hill in August/September. The final date is still fluid.

"The main building at West Malling will then close. We will retain two consulting rooms as a satellite clinic in ‘The Hollies’ building on the same site.

"It is important that appointments at West Malling Surgery are protected for those who truly can't get to Kings Hill, and as such there is an expectation that the majority of people will be seen at Kings Hill.

"The majority of services will then be provided from our purpose-built facility at Kings Hill. The Leybourne surgery will also remain as a satellite clinic.”

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat said: "I am told you will be able to access both a GP and also a nurse here. It will be fully operational as a GP surgery so if you need to be seen in West Malling, you will be able to.

"Clearly some back office functions will move to Kings Hill, which we knew anyway. This will, hopefully, enable the Practice to sort out some of the ongoing issues with getting appointments that so many people have raised for so many years.

"Like many I was concerned that the commitment made last year might not be continued, but am pleased the Practice, through the Patients Participation Group, have confirmed face to face appointments will remain in West Malling.

"The key issue is that those who need an appointment in the town will be able to access one. I’m pleased our work last year was worth it."

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