Darent Valley Hospital has been put forward to hold one of three specialist stroke units in Kent in a major overhaul of services.

A national review is being carried out to make sure people who have suffered a stroke can get round-the-clock care, which is hoped to reduce the effects of a stroke.

Kent and Medway NHS has been reviewing potential options for the best hospitals in the area to build three 'hyper acute' stroke units as part of the overhaul.

The NHS has said its 'preferred option' is to put three of these stroke units into Darent Valley Hospital, Maidstone Hospital and William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

A statement from Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said stroke services are currently falling short of the "best-practice standards" set out across Kent and Medway.

The announcement of this 'preferred option' comes after a public consultation to find the best three hospitals to host these services.

Of the five potential options put forward in an initial consultation, the option that has been chosen is the second-most expensive, with £36.29m capital investment.

A final decision on where the hyper acute stroke units will be made in January 2019.

Patricia Davis, senior responsible officer for the Kent and Medway Stroke Review, said the decision was an "important step in the stroke review process" but that there were still "several hurdles to clear" before the decision is made.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said he was "really pleased" to see Darent Valley Hospital had been put forward as an urgent stroke site.

He said: “All the evidence shows that having access to a hyper-acute stroke unit is the best way to treat stroke patients, save lives and reduce disabilities in patients.

“Having this service in Dartford would be hugely beneficial to our residents and I hope this option is confirmed when the final decision is made at the end of the year.”