Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust halted surgery last year . Upper gastrointestinal ( GI ) operations referred to St Thomas ' Hospital . The trust said it was 'unable to continue with the current level of services' because of a lack of funding from central government.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust halted surgery last year . Upper gastrointestinal ( GI ) operations referred to St Thomas ' Hospital . Came after internal review found 5 patients died of avoidable complications . Kent trust has now said decision to stop surgery will be a permanent one .