NOW is the time for getting issues on the table and developing solutions, according to health bosses.

The chief executive of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Rose Gibb, said she welcomed the opportunity during the discussion phase to meet staff -- including the consultants who had put their grave concerns to her in their petition -- to try to work through any concerns they had about the proposals for change.

She appealed for emotions and misunderstandings not to overshadow the chance to work together.

Mrs Gibb said: "The discussion phase is about getting issues on the table. A group of consultants clearly have concerns and they need to meet with the orthopaedic surgeons and myself to work through them and develop solutions.

"We all need to understand that the proposals have come from the clinical experts in orthopaedic services who are very clear that what we have got is not sustainable.

"I can assure people that these changes are safe and that your local hospital will not be downgraded. A&E will continue to offer the same lifesaving services and intensive care will expand to meet the increasing complexity of patient care on the Maidstone site. We must keep talking and work together to improve care for patients as no change is not an option."

She added: "The whole idea of the orthopaedic discussions we are having is to secure the future of high quality services and reduce risk for patients. Our orthopaedic surgeons are clear the patients will be exposed to additional risk if this service continues as it is. Their proposal reduces that risk and will improve the quality of care."