A Kent Conservative MP has called for calm over a controversial decision to reorganise stroke care at different hospitals in the county.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay says while he was disappointed at the outcome of the reorganisation because stroke facilities would not be based in his constituency, it was time to accept the recommendations had come from medical experts.

He also took a sideswipe at those who have threatened to mount a legal challenge over the decision made by health chiefs last week.

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The Conservative leader of Medway Council Alan Jarrett has already said he will be seeking a judicial review of the decision.

Mr Mackinlay appealed for campaigners to draw a line under the issue.

"I think it is now time to keep calm down the political rhetoric from some quarters and consider the many positive improvements that will flow from the HASU (Hyper Acute Stroke Units) formula," he said.

"In other parts of the country where the move to HASUs has been made, they typically receive an 'A' rating, meaning better outcomes and recovery.

"The NHS should not be used as a political football.

"I am not a stroke specialist but do have confidence that clinicians and healthcare professionals have considered the options fully and fairly, and have created a defendable plan that has been rigorously and critically tested with the overall expectation of improvements to current stroke services across Kent and Medway."

Labour councillor Karen Constantine responded: "Mr Mackinlay needs to listen a little bit harder. The people of Thanet will be extremely disadvantaged and will not take this lightly. I’m calling for the HOSC to refer this back to the Secretary of State for health, Matt Hancock.

"Residents of Thanet’s want to see all their politicians working together, putting the interests of the public first and foremost."

Campaigners have already called on a cross-party health scrutiny committee to use its statutory powers to refer the planned reorganisation to the secretary of state for health for a final decision.

Members of the campaign group SONIK held a rally at the weekend in which they urged supporters to lobby the committee ahead of its meeting on Friday March 1.

Under the shake up, Darent Valley hospital in Dartford, Maidstone Hospital and William Harvey Hospital in Ashford will house new 24/7 acute stroke services as part of a £40 million shake up.