Proposals to merge Darent Valley Hospital's services with another NHS trust in Medway has caused controversy across north Kent. Reporter ABIGAIL WOODCOCK attended a neighbourhood forum meeting to find out more.

CONCERNED residents met last week to hear a presentation on the proposed merger between Darent Valley Hospital and Medway NHS Foundation Trust.

Last Tuesday, Darent Valley's director of nursing Jenny Kay said the merger between the two hospitals would improve services, increase efficiency and offer better value for money.

People at the meeting at St John’s School in Rochester Road, Gravesend, then had the chance to quiz her on its implications.

It follows a government announcement for all hospitals to become foundation trusts by 2014.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which runs Darent Valley Hospital, is unable to meet the criteria for the status independently.

However, by joining with Medway NHS foundation trust, the two organisations could form a single NHS foundation trust.

Bosses at Darent Valley will carry on its consultation with residents until the end of April, before the plans are submitted for approval.

The merge could then take place at the end of the year.

Q and A session

Q. Colin Ball, 76, of Mackenzie Way, Singlewell asked the meeting: “What will be done about parking?

"It's atrocious.

“If you are going for an appointment at the clinic, you have to get there an hour before.

“If we have people coming from Medway, the situation will only get worse."

A. Ms Kay replied: “Parking is a real challenge and every hospital struggles with it.

"We have had permission to expand the car park and there will be around 38 more spaces built.

“Staff parking has also been cut to give priority to patients.”

Q. Horace Sutherland, 77, of Valley Drive, Gravesend, asked: “What will happen to the quality of care?

"It will only get worse - I don’t think there will be any improvement.

“The food is already cr*p and the value of care is sh*te.”

A. Ms Kay replied: “We are determined the integration will not affect the quality of care given.

“The two hospitals can learn from each other.

“In every clinical area, if we look at what’s best in each trust we can increase the quality of care.”

Q. Gravesham councillor Leslie Hills asked: “We have more patients because Queen Mary’s A and E has closed in Sidcup and the Ebbsfleet development could see thousands of people move to the area.

“How will the hospital cope and will it have the facilities to deal with the situation?”

A. Ms Kay replied: “We have to use money more efficiently - care is not always in the hospital.

“There is community rehabilitation and hospices available.

“An acute hospital will have to be about acute care, not about ongoing care.”

Q. Deputy leader of Gravesham Council, Cllr Lee Croxton asked: “The cynic in me wants to know more about where cuts will be made - I’m profoundly worried about where they will be from.”

A. Ms Kay replied: “Along with the rest of the NHS, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust needs to make four per cent efficiency savings in 2012 and 2013.

“This equates to around £30m over a five year period.

“We’ve never talked about reducing nurses on the ward - they need to be where the patients are.

“But we have to look at back office jobs, and about how to offer best value for money.”