In a UK first, a Victorian-built mansion is to become the UK's first 'care hotel' - freeing up NHS hospital beds as the coronavirus crisis is set to worsen.

Tunbridge Wells' Salomons Estate Hotel has been identified by Hilton Nursing Partners as an ideal site to establish the new facility, which will allow "uncompromised focus on the recovery of the frail and vulnerable away from high-risk environments."

Hilton Nursing Partners - a patient discharge and home recovery company based in Ashford - has teamed up with West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Kent County Council, and the Salomons Estate Hotel to deliver the proposal.

The medical firm's proposal was agreed with West Kent CCG and Kent County Council within four days, an extremely quick decision for health and social care commissioning made by throwing standard protocol to one side.

It is now hoped to be operational by Monday, April 6.

Salomons Estate - a popular wedding venue - will be managed and staffed by Hilton Nursing employees to minimise patient infection and maximise recovery during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ann Taylor, CEO of Hilton Nursing Partners commented: “We are delighted that the NHS and Kent County Council have agreed to our care hotel proposal so quickly. The ethos of Hilton is about getting patients home as soon as possible and supporting their recovery.

"We recognised that continuing with this model during the current crisis would result in a bottleneck, and risked rationing of care.

"These are exceptional times requiring exceptional measures, and the care hotel will enable us to maximise the support that we provide, while maintaining patients in a safe environment.

"While visiting is not possible in the current circumstances, we will use technology to ensure our patients are kept in-touch with family and friends.

“The partnership with Salomons Hotel has been tremendous. From our first, unannounced visit to the site on Friday, March 21, they have gone out of their way to make this concept work.

"It is a tribute to the owner’s sense of community that they have made the site available for the care hotel at cost.”

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