HOSPITAL staff have toasted 30 years of treating the community.

BMI Fawkham Manor Hospital, of Manor Lane, Longfield, was set to become a retirement home until GPs Richard Bailey and Les Wootton persuaded the owners to turn it into an independent hospital in January 1980.

Senior outpatients co-ordinator Wendy Woods and senior pathologist assistant Pat Smith have also been working at the 35-bed and two-theatre hospital since it first opened its doors to patients.

Mrs Woods said: “Fawkham Manor has been a great place for me to work and I’ve seen many changes at the hospital during my time here.

“I’ve always enjoyed my job, there’s a great atmosphere, a real sense of achievement and the patients certainly pick up on that.”