Latest news with #Dartford
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Theatre in Dartford praised despite making heavy financial losses
An award-winning temporary theatre in Kent has been branded an "extraordinary success" by its director, despite racking up heavy Orchard West Theatre in Hythe Street, Dartford, posted a net loss of £755,999 for the last financial year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting was built as short-term replacement after its original venue was found to contain potentially dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in September Borough Council leader Jeremy Kite also defended the venue, describing it as not operating in "ideal circumstances" but playing an important role in keeping the "spirit and culture" of the town's arts scene alive. In the theatre's annual report, discussed at a meeting of the council's overview and scrutiny committee on Tuesday, its director Tal Rosen wrote: "Despite the challenges of relocation, Orchard West has been an extraordinary success."We were proud to receive national recognition, winning Innovation of the Year at The Stage Awards 2025 and Temporary Structure of the Year at the Festival Supplier Awards."The report added that the theatre generated more than £5m for the local economy and welcomed more than 95,000 customers to 173 performances across 2024 and also employed 18 permanent staff, and had 65 "casual team members." But the report also showed Orchard West making a net loss of £755,999 – equivalent to 34% of its revenue - up from £353,423, equivalent to 14% in in overheads, such as the national minimum wage and other inflationary costs, were among the "financial challenges" blamed. In February Dartford council approved an additional £10m in funding to repair the original Orchard Theatre in Home Gardens, removing Raac and making it safe to use again. It is scheduled to reopen in May authority also gave £500,000 to Trafalgar Events, which runs the theatre, to ensure they could continue hosting at the time, Kite called the decision a "no-brainer" which would still be cheaper than an entire rebuild.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
NHS trust investigates after ‘unnecessary delay' for thousands of patients
An NHS trust has identified 8,849 patients whose referrals to ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists were 'not correctly managed', leading to 'unnecessary' delays in care. The patients were waiting for ENT appointments provided by Medway NHS Foundation Trust (MNFT) operating out of Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford. The trust said it was 'very sorry' for the delays caused to patients and has commissioned an independent investigation. Some 4,279 adults and children were awaiting a first outpatient appointment after a referral, while 4,570 existing patients were awaiting a follow-up appointment, diagnostic test or procedure. Approximately 20% of those affected are children, and a few patients have waited as much as five years to be seen, the trust confirmed. Jonathan Wade, chief executive of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and interim chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'We are very sorry for the unnecessary delay experienced by some of our ENT patients. 'We are in the process of contacting patients to apologise and make arrangements for them to be seen as quickly as possible.' The delays affected patients predominantly in the Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Bexley and Greenwich areas. When these referrals were first received, they were reviewed by a clinician and assessed as routine, meaning that no urgent concerns, such as cancer, were identified at the time, the trust has said. Mr Wade continued: 'We have taken immediate action to ensure referrals to this service are correctly managed, with stronger oversight and improved systems in place. 'A full, independent investigation has been commissioned to understand how the error occurred and if anyone has come to harm as a result of these unnecessary delays. 'We are committed to learning from this so that it does not happen again.' MNFT declined to comment on whether the commissioned investigation has begun, and how long it will take.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS trust investigates after ‘unnecessary delay' for thousands of patients
An NHS trust has identified 8,849 patients whose referrals to ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists were 'not correctly managed', leading to 'unnecessary' delays in care. The patients were waiting for ENT appointments provided by Medway NHS Foundation Trust (MNFT) operating out of Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford. The trust said it was 'very sorry' for the delays caused to patients and has commissioned an independent investigation. Some 4,279 adults and children were awaiting a first outpatient appointment after a referral, while 4,570 existing patients were awaiting a follow-up appointment, diagnostic test or procedure. Approximately 20% of those affected are children, and a few patients have waited as much as five years to be seen, the trust confirmed. Jonathan Wade, chief executive of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and interim chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'We are very sorry for the unnecessary delay experienced by some of our ENT patients. 'We are in the process of contacting patients to apologise and make arrangements for them to be seen as quickly as possible.' The delays affected patients predominantly in the Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Bexley and Greenwich areas. When these referrals were first received, they were reviewed by a clinician and assessed as routine, meaning that no urgent concerns, such as cancer, were identified at the time, the trust has said. Mr Wade continued: 'We have taken immediate action to ensure referrals to this service are correctly managed, with stronger oversight and improved systems in place. 'A full, independent investigation has been commissioned to understand how the error occurred and if anyone has come to harm as a result of these unnecessary delays. 'We are committed to learning from this so that it does not happen again.' MNFT declined to comment on whether the commissioned investigation has begun, and how long it will take.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Severe south Essex delays on M25 with two lanes closed after earlier crash
SEVERE delays are impacting morning commuters in south Essex with heavy traffic jams on the M25 anti-clockwise due to an earlier crash. Congestion is running from Junction 1a at Dartford causing tailbacks into the Dartford Tunnels, with further queues on the major link road anti-clockwise after Junction 30 A13 lakeside/Purfleet. Lane closures are also in place between Junction 30 and Junction 29 on the M25 anti-clockwise due to the earlier crash, with two lanes closed. M25 – Anti clockwise - Congestion to J1a A206 (Dartford), back through the Dartford Tunnels. Queueing traffic (due to earlier road collision on M25 anticlockwise after J30 A13 (Lakeside / Purfleet) — Essex Travel News (@Essex_Travel) July 21, 2025 M25 - anticlockwise, between junctions J30 (A13) and J29 (A127) with Lane Closures, the hard shoulder, lanes 1 and 2 are closed. Due to a Road traffic collision. — Essex Travel News (@Essex_Travel) July 21, 2025
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Murder charge after death of man in property
A man has been charged with murder after a 60-year-old died at a property in Dartford, police have said. Kent Police said they were called to Dunlop Close on 5 July after they had reports for concern of a person. The force attended, along with paramedics, but a man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. Dorin Ciorba, 29, of Longbridge Road in Barking, London, was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with murder and robbery. He was remanded in custody to appear at Medway Magistrates Court. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Related internet links Kent Police HM Courts & Tribunals Service
