Faversham hospital's inpatient service paused for a month
All other services at the hospital, which provides rehabilitation for patients, are unaffected.Ms McCormick said: "During the past couple of months we have been working hard to bolster staffing; transferring colleagues from alternative hospitals, recruiting to vacant posts, supporting staff to return to work and using our bank and agency workforce."Despite these efforts, it is no longer sustainable to continue to use a temporary workforce and re-deploy staff from our other hospitals, placing other services at risk."The trust says it will work with staff and partners to minimise disruption and offer alternative temporary roles to allow more people to receive care in their own homes or at other community hospitals.
'It must reopen'
Faversham and Mid Kent's Conservative MP Helen Whately says she is "deeply concerned" about the future of the hospital.She added: "Of course the hospital needs to be safely staffed, but there should have been warnings to the community before now if it was at risk. "The Cottage Hospital is an integral part of Faversham and it must reopen."The trust, which has been contacted for more information, has committed to reviewing its decision within a month.
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The Guardian
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Powys County Times
44 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Starmer thanks NHS worker who looked after his brother
The Prime Minister has thanked an NHS worker who looked after his brother in the last weeks of his life. Sir Keir Starmer's brother Nick died on Boxing Day in 2024 aged 60, having been ill with cancer. In a video posted on social media to mark the 77th anniversary of the health service, the PM said that advanced nurse practitioner Ben Huntley made sure that his brother 'felt cared for and respected'. In the clip, Sir Keir is shown speaking to Mr Huntley in Downing Street, while other members of the public also meet with NHS staff who helped them. The NHS has always been there for my family. Today, on its 77th anniversary, the entire country says thank you. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 5, 2025 The Prime Minister said: 'My mum worked in the NHS and then she was very, very ill, for most of her life. And the NHS became our absolute lifeline. 'My sister worked for the NHS, my wife works for the NHS, and it was the NHS that looked after my brother who we lost last Boxing Day to cancer. 'Ben, you looked after him. I think from the moment he was in all the way through, and you made sure that he felt cared for and respected.' The PM later added: 'That meant a huge amount to me and my family and, on all of our behalves, I say through you a very special thank you to the NHS.' Earlier this week, Sir Keir told the BBC's Political Thinking that he 'made it my business to be there in the hospital' when his brother was told about his diagnosis 'so that I could begin to help look after him'. 'It's really hard to lose your brother to cancer, he was a very vulnerable man,' the Prime Minister said. He shared details of 'going up in the porter's lift into the back of the intensive care unit' and wanting to protect his brother's privacy. He told the same interview that US President Donald Trump asked about his brother in a call a 'few days' after he died.
