Former St Bartholomew?s Hospital, New Road

Image: © John Baker Taken: 14 Feb 2017

It was reported in the Kent Messenger on 25 February 2016 that “The oldest existing hospital in England, St Bartholomew’s in Rochester, is to close. The hospital, known locally as St Bart’s, was founded in 1078 for the care of the poor and lepers. Today it is a nurse-led hospital run by Medway Community Health Care, providing specialist rehabilitation to people living in Medway and Swale. It looks after patients who have had a stroke, a fall or major surgery and provides physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing care to help them to recover and return home to live as independently as possible. But the current hospital building dates back to 1861 and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who commission the services, said it is no longer suitable. The site is owned by NHS Property Services. All the services will be moving to other locations within Medway. Stroke rehabilitation will move in September. No date has yet been set for the relocation of other services, but it will be some time this year” http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/oldest-existing-hospital-in-england-91558/

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