A Kent hospital service which was forced to stop operating after staff levels were deemed “critically low” could now soon re-open, the NHS has confirmed. Earlier this year in July, Faversham Cottage Hospital’s 16-bed inpatient service was paused due to a shortage of staff.

This had been brought about by a number of vacancies and sickness, particularly impacting leadership roles. Though efforts were made to strengthen service, with bank and agency staff, and transferring staff from other hospitals, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) ultimately made the decision to temporarily shut the ward to protect patient safety.

Throughout the pause period, staff have been re-deployed into other community teams or to neighbouring community hospitals in east Kent. Now an update on t

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