We use cookies to help provide you with the best possible online experience.
By using this site, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device. Cookie policy.
Cookie settings.
Functional Cookies
Functional Cookies are enabled by default at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings and ensure site works and delivers best experience.
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Friends of Whitstable Hospital and Healthcare
Registered Charity No: 233828
The Friends of Whitstable Hospital & Healthcare is a registered charity that provides support, care and fundraising services to primary healthcare in the Whitstable area.
Our volunteers provide services for patients at the hospital, including a trolley service, flowers and newspapers on the ward, gifts at Christmas and Easter, a strawberry tea in summer, and tend the gardens.
In the community our volunteers visit and befriend people in their own homes. These visits can be a lifeline for those unable to get out and about on their own.
At Estuary View Medical Centre our volunteers run the Friends Café which provides hot and cold drinks and light refreshments for patients, visitors and staff.
Over the years our fundraising has enabled us to provide items for the hospital and local patients, to help provide more services locally. Since April 2016 the Friends funded equipment to a value of £250,000, which included including specialist furniture for patients on the hospital ward; 24-hour blood pressure monitors, a 7-day Electrocardiogram monitor and a dermatoscope for local medical centres; and x-ray and blood-testing equipment for Estuary View Urgent Treatment Centre.
We have also been able to fund equipment and provide our Café space for use at Estuary View, to help the Medical Practice during the Covid-19 outbreak.
We are always looking for more help.
Volunteer
- Anyone wishing to volunteer will need to attend the Friends Café at Estuary View Medical Centre where they can obtain a paper application form.
Donate
- You can donate to us directly through bank transfer using these details: Barclays Bank Whitstable, Sort code 20-17-92, Account number 60392731.
- Alternatively you can send cheques to Friends Office, Whitstable Hospital, Northwood Road, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2HN
- You can also dontate via Just Giving - Friends of Whitstable Hospital and Healthcare
Become of Friend
- For £5 a year or £25 for lifetime membership.
- Please pick up a membership form from any of the 3 sites to register.
At Whitstable Medical Practice (WMP), our Clinical Services Department delivers a wide range of elective community healthcare services across 18 contracts. We oversee operations in 30+ clinical rooms, supporting over 100+ healthcare professionals. Our services handle tens of thousands of patients annually.
These services rely on advanced equipment, generously funded by The Friends of Whitstable Healthcare. Without their support, many would not exist or operate at current capacity.
Below is an overview of our offerings and the Friends' contributions that have enabled these services to start:
Dermatology
- Overview: Skin condition diagnosis/treatment across 10 sites; includes surgery and consultations.
- Volume: 20,000+ patients/year (started 2011).
- Thanks to The Friends: 2 x Dermlite DL4 dermatoscopes.
Echocardiography
- Overview: Ultrasound for heart condition diagnosis.
- Volume: 3,000 patients/year (started 2006).
- Thanks to The Friends: Echocardiography machine for upgraded imaging.
Gynaecology, Urogynaecology & Hysteroscopy
- Overview: Women's health care including hysteroscopy and minor procedures.
- Volume: 1,100 outpatients, 400 hysteroscopies/year (started 2010/2021).
- Thanks to The Friends: Olympus hysteroscopes, camera stack and gynaecology couch.
Urology & Cystoscopy
- Overview: Incontinence management with on-site tests and cystoscopy.
- Volume: 600 outpatients, 1,000 cystoscopies/year (started 2007).
- Thanks to The Friends: Cystoscopy machine and camera, bladder scanner, urinary flow rate machine.
Ultrasound
- Overview: Non-invasive imaging for General, DVT, MSK and Suspected Cancer pathways.
- Volume: 5,000+ patients/year (started 2009).
- Thanks to The Friends: Multiple ultrasound machines.
X-Ray
- Overview: Imaging for fractures and urgent care.
- Volume: 13,000 patients/year (started 2015).
- Thanks to The Friends: An X-ray machine and all of the enabling works.
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic
- Overview: Ear, nose, throat treatments including procedures.
- Volume: 30 patients/week (started 2025).
- Thanks to The Friends: An olympus nasendoscope.
Audiology (supports ENT clinic)
- Overview: Hearing assessments and aid fittings with 3-year care.
- Volume: 3,150 patients/year (started 2007).
Cataract Surgery
- Overview: Day-case lens removal and replacement; up to 20 surgeries daily, including weekends.
- Volume: 1,300 surgeries/year (started 2010).
- Thanks to The Friends: IOL Master Biometry Machine and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine.
General Ophthalmology & Oculoplastic Surgery
- Overview: Eye exams and procedures; one-stop service.
- Volume: 800–1,000 patients/year (started 2023).
- Thanks to The Friends: OCT machine and Visual Field Machine.
Minor Eye Conditions (MECS) & Hydroxychloroquine Screening
- MECS Overview: Acute eye issue treatment.
- Volume: 1,500 patients/year (started 2023).
- HCQ Overview: Retinal toxicity screening.
- Volume: 70 patients/year (started 2020).
- Thanks to The Friends: OCT and Visual Field Machines.
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration Clinic
- Overview: AMD management with one-stop monitoring and injections.
- Volume: 1,500 patients/year (started 2018).
- Staff: 3 consultants, 1 technician, 5 HCAs.
- Thanks to The Friends: OCT machine and Slit Lamp.
Glaucoma Clinic
- Overview: Glaucoma monitoring and treatment.
- Volume: 1,500 patients/year (started 2016).
- Thanks to The Friends: Visual Field Machine.
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Overview: MSK treatments across all sites, including groups and injections.
- Volume: 23,000 patients/year (started 2008).
- Thanks to The Friends: Bolsters integrated services. Utilises ultrasound MSK service.
Elbow, Hand, and Wrist Clinic
- Overview: Upper limb specialist care with injections.
- Volume: 800 patients/year (started 2011).
- Thanks to The Friends: Enables integration via overall funding. Utilises X-ray and MSK ultrasound services.
A Heartfelt Thank You to The Friends
Without The Friends of Whitstable Healthcare, these services would not be running today. Their investments in essential machinery enhance care, reduce waits, and improve outcomes for patients.
Armed Forces veteranfriendly accredited
GP practice
