Podcast: Kent hospitals ’like a war zone’ as patients sleep in corridors and on floors

2022-12-21

It's been revealed someone walked into an accident and emergency department in Kent every 23 seconds in November. The number of people waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted to a ward has also risen. In the three months from September, it was more than 4,000 patients - compared to just over 500 during the same period last year. It comes as the government's urging us not to take unnecessary risks today, as thousands of ambulance staff go out on strike. Paramedics and call handlers here in Kent...

It's been revealed someone walked into an accident and emergency department in Kent every 23 seconds in November.

The number of people waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted to a ward has also risen.

In the three months from September, it was more than 4,000 patients - compared to just over 500 during the same period last year.

It comes as the government's urging us not to take unnecessary risks today, as thousands of ambulance staff go out on strike.

Paramedics and call handlers here in Kent are among those walking out in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

The army's been drafted in to help out as NHS leaders warn they cannot guarantee the safety of patients.

We spoke to Murray Robinson from the GMB union - who was out on the picket line at Medway Ambulance Station.

Our other top stories, and investigations are underway following the death of a man in Sittingbourne.

The victim was found with stab wounds at a property off College Road in the early hours of this morning.

The future of one of Medway's oldest pubs is uncertain after the landlord announced he was calling time on New Year's Eve.

John Brice has run The King George 5th in Brompton for the past 20 years - he's been telling us why he's decided to shut.

The MP for Dartford's described an expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone to the border of Kent as 'the most unfair, undemocratic form of taxation this country has ever seen'.

From next August, motorists using older vehicles will have to pay a charge to drive into all 33 of the capital's boroughs.

It's part of efforts to cut air pollution.

But during a debate in Westminster Hall, Gareth Johnson said it would be financially damaging for residents and the economy, and accused Mayor Sadiq Khan of just trying to make money.

And, in football, Gillingham have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup after losing 2-0 to Premier League side Wolves in the fourth round.

Gills manager Neil Harris spoke to us after the match.

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