stroke

Stroke Services in East Kent: Why Canterbury Must Be Protected

A clear summary of the issue and the fight to keep stroke care where it is needed most

Stroke is one of the most time‑critical medical emergencies. Every minute without treatment kills brain cells and increases the risk of disability or death. That’s why the location of East Kent’s hyper‑acute stroke service matters so deeply to our communities.

Where we are now

Kent & Canterbury Hospital (K&C) has been delivering East Kent’s stroke service for six years. During this time:

- East Kent Hospitals has become the only Trust in England rated ‘A’ for stroke care (SSNAP, Jan 2026). 

- The top‑performing stroke unit in the country is at Canterbury. 

- The service has been safe, stable and high‑performing without an A&E on site.

This real‑world success directly contradicts the assumptions used in the 2019 stroke reconfiguration, which excluded Canterbury purely because it lacked an emergency department.

What is happening now

East Kent Hospitals has submitted a planning application to build a new stroke unit on the William Harvey Hospital (WHH) car park in Ashford. 

This is a major step toward moving stroke services away from Canterbury — before any updated evidence has been published.

No new business case. 

No updated travel‑time modelling. 

No updated clinical modelling. 

No explanation of why the best‑performing stroke unit in England is not being considered.

Why Canterbury matters

Canterbury is the most central hospital in East Kent. 

For many communities — especially Thanet, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham and the villages — it offers the fastest access to life‑saving stroke treatment.

Real‑world travel times:

- Thanet → Canterbury: 25–30 minutes 

- Thanet → Ashford: 55–90 minutes

Thanet has the highest stroke incidence and highest deprivation in Kent. 

Moving the service further away increases risk for the people who need it most.

Public concern is growing

A petition calling for the 2019 decision to be reviewed has gathered thousands of signatures within days. 

Residents are clear: decisions must be based on current evidence, not outdated assumptions.

What CHEK is fighting for

CHEK is calling for:

- A full, updated review of stroke evidence before any move is made 

- Publication of new travel‑time modelling 

- A transparent business case 

- Proper scrutiny by HOSC 

- A stroke service located where it best serves the whole of East Kent — and where it is already performing at the highest national level 

This is not about politics. 

It is about saving lives, protecting a service that is working, and ensuring that the people of East Kent receive the fastest, safest stroke care possible.