As someone who has witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department in Margate, I am deeply concerned about the current state of emergency healthcare in the Canterbury, Whitstable, Faversham, Herne Bay, Folkestone, and Dover districts. I have seen the overworked staff struggling with the overwhelming needs of critically ill patients in a severely under-resourced facility not funded for such a large population. I'm sure Ashford is experiencing similar concerns.

For nearly two decades after the closure of the A&E department in Canterbury, nearly 300,000  residents of these areas would have to travel up to an hour each way to Margate or Ashford for emergency care.  This cannot continue in a prosperous, first world country.

Imagine having a heart attack or stroke or needing any emergency care like the recent meningitis outbreak and having to travel long distances to reach the nearest A&E.  losing precious time could mean the difference between life and death especially for the very young and elderly. This current state of affairs endangers lives, is stressful and inefficient for patients and staff.

The healthcare system in East Kent desperately needs an accessible, well-equipped A&E department at Kent and Canterbury Hospital that can serve this population. Restoring this service will not only save lives in these communities but will also alleviate pressures on the already overwhelmed A&E departments in Ashford and Margate, improving the quality of care for everyone across the region.

We call upon the regional health authorities and the government to take immediate action to reinstate A&E services at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. This is a crucial step in ensuring that residents receive timely and efficient medical care without having to travel long distances in critical situations.

Please sign this petition to demand the return of A&E services to Kent and Canterbury Hospital. By standing together, we can push for the change needed to safeguard our communities’ health and well-being.**