A multimillion-pound surgical centre at Maidstone Hospital has celebrated its formal naming and first anniversary with a visit from Karin Smyth MP, Minister of State for Health.

The minister met staff and toured the Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre which has three state-of-the-art operating theatres and 24 beds, increasing capacity across Kent and Medway for routine orthopaedic operations.

A dedicated team including doctors, therapists, and nurses have delivered care to almost 3,500 patients since the centre opened in 2024, providing planned surgery on bones, joints and muscles.

Miles Scott, Chief Executive, said: “The Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre is transforming care for patients and it was a pleasure to welcome Karin Smyth and highlight the difference this facility is making.

“With dedicated theatres and inpatient and day wards the centre is helping us reduce waiting times and provide faster access to planned orthopaedic surgery. It is an investment which demonstrates our commitment to delivering outstanding care and improving patient experience across Kent and Medway.”

As part of a national scheme to deliver more than 50 new surgical hubs across England, the centre focuses on non-emergency surgery and brings together specialist teams under one roof. This dedicated approach also supports shorter hospital stays, helping patients recover quickly and return home sooner.

Earlier this year, the centre was awarded NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) accreditation, which assesses hubs against a framework of standards to help them deliver faster access to some of the most common surgical procedures. During the accreditation process, KMOC was described as “an impressive facility, served by an impressive team”.

During her visit Ms Smyth also visited Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s Care Coordination Centre (CCC) which uses real time data to monitor the Trust’s 700 beds, improving the movement of patients through its hospitals.

This innovative system ensures patients are admitted, transferred and discharged quickly and efficiently. Since its launch the electronic bed management system has also given nurses and ward staff more time back to focus on patient care.

Health Minister, Karin Smyth said: “I’m delighted to visit the Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre for the official opening of this state-of-the-art surgical hub.

“Hubs like these are essential to our mission to cut waiting lists, ensuring that patients get the treatment they need faster, closer to their homes, with fewer cancellations.

“We have hit the ground running reforming our NHS. We promised to deliver two million more appointments when we came into government, and now we have delivered more than five million. It is centres like this which are helping to build back our NHS to ensure it is there for everyone when they need it, once again.”