Spire Healthcare proposes Kent hospital closure

2nd Jun 2015 13:52

Hospital operator Spire Healthcare has proposed closing its St Saviour's Hospital in Hythe, Kent.If it goes ahead, the closure would not affect its guidance for the 2015 financial year, the company said.Chief executive Rob Roger said: "Spire Healthcare's strategy is to operate modern, high-quality facilities and to invest in delivering higher acuity services."After a thorough assessment the Spire Healthcare board has proposed the closure of the hospital, given the investment in infrastructure needed to bring Spire St Saviour's in line with our other hospitals."This proposal has not been put forward lightly and we will work closely with our patients to ensure continuity of care at alternative locations."The company will carry out a period of consultation with its employees.St Saviour's was originally situated near Regents Park in London, where the buildings had been bought by the then governor of the Bank of England at the end of the 19th century. Inspired by Florence Nightingale, his wife became responsible for the running of the hospital.The hospital, whose running was taken over by several communities of Anglican nuns, was moved to Hythe in 1962 when the original London premises were required for the development of the Euston Road.St Saviour's was purchased by Bupa in 1989, which then sold St Saviour's to Legal and General in July 2005, before its Classic Hospitals group was sold in 2008 to become part of Spire Healthcare.