A forward-thinking institution which has a track record of providing excellent care, was the verdict of Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Helen Grant, following her fact-finding visit to Benenden Hospital

Mrs Grant, who is aiming to succeed Ann Widdecombe as the Member for Parliament for the Weald Constituency, visited the hospital, and was given the opportunity to see the cutting edge facilities as well meet some of the skilled nursing and surgical staff.

Her visit included a look at the paediatric wards as well as a tour of the high-tech imaging equipment and the surgical theatres. Mrs Grant was able to talk with senior staff and surgeons during her visit to discover the challenges the hospital faces delivering patient-led care.

Following her visit Mrs Grant said: “Benenden Hospital is an outstanding establishment in an idyllic location containing state of the art facilities and run by a very warm team of highly skilled professionals. Their business model augments and supports the NHS service rather than competing with it, and shows a successful way ahead for the future of hospital services in this country.”

Jane Abbot, Benenden’s Director of Clinical Services, said: “We were very pleased to be able to show Helen the first-class facilities we have here at the hospital and she displayed a great interest in the way we treat and care for our patients.”

The hospital treats members of The Benenden Healthcare Society, NHS patients under the Free Choice scheme and private patients. The hospital is set in the countryside near Benenden and is convenient for residents of Kent and East Sussex.