Darent Valley Hospital (DVH)

23/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who has so far attended the NHS meningitis vaccine and antibiotic clinics.

Some clinics will re-open on Monday. You can view the full list, along with eligibility criteria on our website: https://www.kmhealthandcare.uk/meningitis-antibiotic-and-vaccine-clinics

If you are in an eligible cohort, please try to arrive at the clinics before 12noon; this will help us to manage the queues and make sure we are able to see as many people as possible.

Thank you to everyone for their patience while waiting and to our frontline NHS staff for continuing to go above and beyond 💙

22/03/2026

Kent County Council, Adult Social Care Connect (ASCC) is hosting a drop-in service in the main foyer at Darent Valley Hospital over the coming months.

They are a single point of access supporting adults to look after themselves, stay independent and connected. The service is free, no appointment is needed.

They'll be with us on the following dates:

📅 Tuesday 27th January 2026 10am-1pm
📅 Tuesday 24th February 2026 10am-1pm
📅 Tuesday 24th March 2026 10am-1pm
📅 Tuesday 28th April 2026 10am-1pm
📅 Tuesday 26th May 2026 10am-1pm

Learn more about the service here: https://kent.connecttosupport.org/

You can also complete an online self-assessment here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/ or call 03000 416161, Monday to Friday between the hours of 8.30am-5.00pm to speak with a member of the team.

Get answers to common questions, and information and advice to help you look after yourself, stay independent and connect within Kent.

20/03/2026

This week marked Nutrition and Hydration Week 2026, with our Dietetics Team leading a variety of engaging activities across our sites. Through information stands, ward visits, and interactive drop‑ins, the team helped raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition and staying well hydrated, while creating opportunities for staff, patients, and visitors to learn more and ask questions.

It was a positive and well‑supported week, and we would like to thank all staff involved for their hard work, as well as everyone who took the time to engage with the events. The team looks forward to building on this year’s success as we plan for Nutrition and Hydration Week 2027.

20/03/2026

20/03/2026

20/03/2026

💙 Thank you to everyone coming forward for meningitis B vaccinations and antibiotics. Please be patient as we work through the large number of people at the clinics we are running in the east Kent area.

There are several clinics operating today and across the weekend.

Please be reassured that if you need the vaccine, there will be an opportunity for you to receive it. The first priority is the antibiotic.

The defined cohort list from the UK Health Security Agency is:

• everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak.
• sixth form students (years 12 and 13) in schools and colleges in Kent where confirmed or probable cases are identified. If you are in this part of the cohort, you will be notified.

⚠️ Please only attend a clinic if you are included in this cohort.

You can find the list of clinics on our website: https://www.kmhealthandcare.uk/meningitis-antibiotic-and-vaccine-clinics

19/03/2026

Eligible students at the University of Kent will have received an invite for vaccination.

For wider information on the meningitis outbreak, read our blog post.

🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/

19/03/2026

📢💻Visit the patient information hub for updates on meningitis ➡ www.kmhealthandcare.uk/meningitis-information

This page contains information for people on what they need to do and will be updated regularly.

⚠️ Please continue to watch for symptoms and seek urgent medical help if you feel unwell.

19/03/2026

📢Additional meningitis antibiotic clinic opening in Medway👇🏼

📢Additional meningitis antibiotic clinic opening in Medway👇🏼

A clinic at James Williams Healthy Living Centre in Chatham will open from tomorrow, to provide free emergency antibiotic tablets to eligible people who do not have symptoms, as a precautionary measure.

Precautionary antibiotics – who is eligible?
- Students and staff living on campus at the University of Kent, Canterbury
- Close contacts identified by UKHSA, or those who believe they have had contact with a confirmed case
- Club Chemistry staff
- Anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5, 6 or 7 March

Location details:
📍James Williams Healthy Living Centre, The Pentagon Centre, Military Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4HY
Open: Thursday 19, Friday 20, Saturday, 21 March: 8.30am to 5.30pm and Sunday, 22 March: 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Other antibiotic clinic locations:
📍Vicarage Lane Clinic, Ashford, TN23 1NJ: Thursday, 19 March, 8.30am to 7.30pm.
📍 University of Kent – Senate Building, Canterbury, CT2 7NU
Open daily: 9am to 5pm (last patient 4.30pm)
📍 The Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, CT1 3NG
Open daily: 8.30am to 8pm (last patient 7.30pm)
📍 Thanet Community Health Hub, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA
Open daily: 8.30am to 8pm (last patient 7.30pm)
📍 Westgate Hall, Canterbury, CT1 2BT - Closing at 4pm on Thursday, 19 March.

Important information:
- No booking is needed, just turn up during the times above
- You do not need to bring ID
- Please bring your NHS number if you have it
- Bring a bottle of water if you can

📍 If you have already left Kent, please contact your GP for advice and access to treatment.

⚠️ Please continue to watch for symptoms and seek urgent medical help if you feel unwell.

➡More information: https://www.kmhealthandcare.uk/meningitis-information

18/03/2026

Concerned you may have been in contact with a confirmed meningitis case?

A national helpline, run by the UK Health Security Agency, is now available for advice.

☎️ Call 0344 225 3861

⏰ Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm

This helpline is for people who have no symptoms but want guidance because they think they may have been in contact with a confirmed case, or who have a general enquiry.

Know the symptoms of meningitis and seek urgent medical help if you feel unwell.

Find more information: https://www.kmhealthandcare.uk/meningitis-information

18/03/2026

The NHS antibiotic clinic at the Senate building, University of Kent is very busy at the moment.

If you're waiting and you are able to travel, we have capacity at Westgate Hall, Canterbury, which is open until 7.30pm today (last patient at 7pm).

The Senate clinic will close at 5pm today.

You can find full details of all clinic locations and opening times here: https://f.mtr.cool/neqwmdisqr

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

18/03/2026

NHS Talking Therapies can treat common anxiety conditions.

If you’re struggling with obsessions and compulsions, anxiety in social situations, flashbacks of a traumatic event – or with panic attacks, obsessing about your appearance, or a phobia – being able to get on with your life again is cause for celebration.

NHS Talking Therapies treatment is effective, confidential and free. It gives you practical skills and techniques to overcome a range of mental health conditions like OCD, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and phobias.

Find out more, or refer yourself at nhs.uk/talk.