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Coronavirus Kent: NHS patients in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells needing urgent surgery will be referred to Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital
12:46, 24 April 2020
updated: 12:56, 24 April 2020
An independent hospital in Tunbridge Wells is now taking on NHS patients needing urgent trauma care during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Nuffield Health Hospital, on Kingswood Road, will treat patients from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), who are not Covid-19 symptomatic, but need urgent surgery and medical treatment.
Patients needing surgery classified as urgent will be triaged at MTW hospitals before being referred to Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells by a doctor.
Some consultant surgeons and anaesthetists from MTW have moved to the independent facility while all other care will be provided by Nuffield Health staff.
The hospital in Tunbridge Wells is one of 30 Nuffield Health has made available to the NHS across England and Wales to ease pressure on services.
Penny Pontet, Hospital Director at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital, said: “We are pleased to offer our support to NHS patients and the teams at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust at this challenging time.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has stretched our country, challenging us, and the effort, dedication and commitment of NHS staff is truly humbling. As the UK’s largest healthcare charity, we are in a unique position to care for NHS patients clinically, physically and mentally.
“The whole team has been fantastic, and I am very proud of what they have all done so far, and for what they will be doing over the coming weeks.”
The charity has been taking on NHS patients for three weeks and will be reimbursed at cost meaning no profit will be made.
Steve Gray, Chief Executive at Nuffield Health, adds: “These are unprecedented times, and as the UK’s largest healthcare charity we have a huge role to play in our local communities, including helping people stay active at home. We are evolving how we can continue to deliver our services as the country remains in lockdown and how we can offer vital support.”
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