Welcome to the Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital
& Community Medical Centres
Supporting Patients and Staff in Faversham
Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital and Community Medical Centres (Friends)
Message from the Chair – Temporary closure of Faversham Cottage Hospital, July 15th 2025
My trustees and I were shocked to hear that our much-loved cottage hospital was closing temporarily. Members of ‘Friends’ have supported the hospital since the creation of the charity in 1973 and through more than one threat of closure. Of course the role of the hospital has changed over the years, reflecting the need to help the acute hospitals free up beds by providing rehabilitation and care for older people, particularly those with dementia.
Since hearing the news about the temporary closure, we have held two ‘face to face’ meetings with key managers from Kent Community Health NHS Trust (KCHFT).
Of course safeguarding patients is the fundamental duty of the NHS . We understand that a combination of long-term sickness and a shortage nationally of registered nurses, has left the hospital dependent upon unsatisfactory temporary arrangements, with an undue reliance on agency staff. This situation posed a significant risk to patients which had to be addressed.
We challenged health service managers to explain:
- why there was a particular problem in Faversham
- what was the position of existing staff
- what they were doing to get the hospital reopened without delay.
The critical issue locally has been the absence of a manager to support the staff team, manage agency staff and drive forward the recruitment of more nurses.
We were reassured that existing staff have all been placed temporarily in other community hospitals and have been supported throughout and that their dedication was not in doubt.
A recruitment campaign for nurses has already begun, (although word of mouth and social media continues to be important in this) and sickness procedures are being followed.
We have been assured that the position would be reviewed after 4 weeks and that we would be kept fully informed.
The longer-term role of these community hospitals within the government’s 10-year plan is not clear but we were further assured that the two matters were separate issues and that the recruitment campaign and other steps being taken to ensure that the hospital would re-open as soon as possible, are being vigorously pursued.
As soon as we hear more, I will let you know.
Many good wishes
Alison Reynolds,
Chair, Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital and Community Medical Centres
The Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital are a long established Charity charged with raising funds for our local Community Cottage Hospital, our GP-led Medical Practices based in Bank Street and Newton Place, our Urgent Treatment Centre and also with supporting all their Patients and Staff.
We are committed to helping to make sure that Faversham Residents are informed about, and are actively involved in, any plans for local Health Services and in safeguarding and improving existing local provision within the wider Health and Care Community.
Please use our menu to find out how the Charity has developed and responded to changing circumstances over time.
NEWS
Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital (Friends)
Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital and Community Medical Centres (Friends) Message from the Chair – Temporary closure of Faversham Cottage
Volunteering
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As a friend your support is invaluable in helping us to provide equipment and services for the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) and Medical Centres in Faversham that the NHS are unable to deliver.
A small annual contribution of just £5 a year will help to support these vital services for the benefit of residents of Faversham and the wider community.
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Every donation we receive, whatever the size, is appreciated and helps us to provide valuable additional resources to clinical services in the community.
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