More than 230 people packed into Ashford Hospital, London Road, on Thursday, September 24, for the annual general meeting of the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust.

Many of those attending also signed up to become members to support the trust’s application for foundation trust status.

Guests were also able to talk to members of staff over coffee before the meeting started and view display stands presented by Linda Fairhead, consultant nurse for infection control, and William Britton, the hotel services manager.

Andrew Liles, chief executive of the trust, said: “Most hospital AGMs I have experienced have an average attendance of about 15 people – on Thursday, we had more than 230.

“This was our first public meeting since recruiting more than 4,500 foundation trust members and the board and I were delighted with the turn-out and the real interest local people clearly have in Ashford and St Peter’s.

"We were also pleased to see members of staff there too.”

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