HEALTH chiefs will be asked to explain their reasoning for moving key services away from Maidstone at a public meeting next month.

Rose Gibb, chief executive of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, will be presenting the trust's case from 6.30pm on Monday, November 1, provisionally at Maidstone Town Hall.

Maidstone Borough Council's external scrutiny committee wants to use the meeting to decide its response to the trust's latest package of reforms.

But the meeting is being expanded to give people worried about the future of Maidstone Hospital a chance to directly raise their concerns.

Scrutiny chairman Cllr James Cook (Lab), said: "We will be happy to take questions from the public but would prefer that they be submitted in writing first.

"We don't want it to descend into a slanging match but it is obvious there are some very serious concerns, particularly about access to Tunbridge Wells."

Transport to and from hospital will also be a key issue for debate at the meeting.

Anyone wanting to submit a question for the trust's chief executive should e-mail: osc@maidstone.gov.uk or write to: Kate Martyn, scrutiny manager, scrutiny section, London House 5-11 London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8HR.

Andrea Vaus, 31, of St Peter's Road, Ditton

'I'm against the proposals. The extra travel means people will have to take days off work, as you're never dealt with straight away. I feel it's best to have services in one hospital.'

Hazel Gardnener, 18, of Ragstone Court, Ditton, and Karina Craske, 17, of Ham Lane, Lenham

Hazel: 'My mum recently went to Pembury and it was quite a trek.'

Karina: 'Maidstone Hospital is much more accessible, and vital services should be kept in the County Town.'

Bernard Davis, 65, of Lansdowne Avenue, Maidstone

'Specialisation is only ok if you can get to the hospital. A lot of it comes from the management rather than the doctors; they just want to keep hold of their bonus.'