A review into the decision to overhaul stroke services in Kent has been rejected.

Two judicial reviews were heard at the High Court in December, brought by separate groups, Save Our NHS in Kent (Sonik) and Thanet Stroke Campaign.

Carly Jeffrey of Save Our NHS In Kent spoke to KMTV

Both were fighting the decision to close acute stroke services at Margate's QEQM.

Emergency stroke treatment at the town's hospital will end when a new hyper acute stroke unit (HASU) opens at the William Harvey in the autumn of 2022.

It is one of three being open in Kent and Medway, the other two being in Darent Valley Hospital and Maidstone Hospital.

Speaking about the ruling, Rachel Jones, Senior Responsible Officer for the Stroke Review said: “We are extremely pleased that the judge’s ruling means that we can improve stroke care and outcomes for local people.

“Our review of urgent stroke services, which started back in late 2014, has always been about providing the highest quality stroke care for patients and certainty for our hard-working staff.

“Evidence from other parts of the country, and from around the world, shows that this new way of providing stroke care reduces death and disability from stroke. Our focus now will be on implementing the new stroke units as soon as possible so we can deliver much-needed improvements.”

Kent County Councillor for Ramsgate, Karen Constantine, said: "I am profoundly disappointed at this negative outcome. We needed the Stroke Unit to be kept in Thanet. The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford is simply too far.

"This decision leaves us with a bleak outlook in Thanet and I think the people of Thanet have been let down. During the three day hearing in December last year, Judge Judith Farbey expressed concern that women in Thanet die 20 years earlier than elsewhere in Kent. She appeared visibly shocked by this fact.

"I believe this life expectancy gap is due to the poor health outcomes, poorer employment opportunities and low pay, poorer educational outcomes and generally a lower standard of living than elsewhere in Kent and the rest of the wealthier South East. This was an opportunity to at least attempt to improve life expectancy for Thanet people. An opportunity to ‘level up’ across the County. It is an opportunity lost."

"As the County Councillor with responsibility for health, I have done my very best to fight against this on residents behalf. I have spoken out and challenged this decision at every step of the way over the past few years.

"I take my hat off, to the loyal, hard working and dedicated NHS staff who are doing their best under such challenging circumstances.

"The fight for our NHS and Stroke services will continue."

Health bosses say there is overwhelming evidence to show the current under-performance of stroke services in Kent and Medway means more people are dying than would be expected, and people are being left with avoidable disability.

They argue that the evidence shows the timescales for reaching and receiving treatment at the new units are both safe and achievable, and that the option approved for HASUs is the one that will best deliver the necessary improvements.

But critics say they were not consulted properly and that Thanet will be left with inadequate provision.

Campaign group Sonik also claims people have been duped over the number of patients being treated at Margate.

They say more people are treated at the soon-to-be axed facility than at Ashford.

The location of the county's three HASUs was determined in-part by patient numbers, with NHS bosses saying hospitals would have to treat a minimum of 500 to be considered.

New figures revealed there were 608 stroke patients treated at the QEQM in 2018/19 - 24 more than at the William Harvey.

And from April to September 2019, 328 patients were seen at the QEQM, compared to 316 in Ashford.

But NHS bosses insist the number of stroke patients is just one of many reasons Margate was not selected in what they say was a meticulous process, involving many medical experts and doctors, to improve stroke services.

Carly Jeffrey of Save Our NHS In Kent, one of the groups that launched the review, said: “This verdict is a setback but it will not stop us from fighting on. We are considering an

appeal and will be gathering outside the QEQM hospital tomorrow at 11am to discuss next steps with our supporters.

“We will be calling for effective measures to be put in place so that we can see a true picture of the before and after impact of these plans being implemented.

“We are devastated by the result and what it means for our residents and our hospital. However, there is one more hurdle remaining before the plans can be implemented. We are still awaiting a response from the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, on the stroke plans. The IRP (Independent Reconfiguration Panel) reviewed the information from Medway Council (who oppose the plans) at the end of last year.

"This is now sitting on Hancock’s desk, awaiting action from him. It will be interesting to see if he waves the plans through or halts them. It is in his power to stop these hospital units being closed.”

To keep up-to-date with all the latest developments with your local hospitals and other health stories, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet