Staff at Benenden Hospital have this week rated the Kent hospital the UK’s Number One Independent Employer of the Year in the Nursing Times Top 100 awards – the second year running it has carried off this accolade.

Benenden Hospital, near Cranbrook, also took third place in the Nursing Times overall competition, which is open to NHS and independent employers, charities, care homes, the armed forces and others who employ nurses.

The awards were announced at a lunch at London’s Landmark Hotel. Benenden Hospital’s representatives, Modern Matron Dee Farris and Clinical Governance Manager
Vicky Mason, brought back the good news to staff and patients, along with two certificates to put on display.

Benenden’s Director of Nursing and Clinical Services, Jane Abbott, said: “Our nurses were sent questionnaires to fill in about the working conditions. The Nursing Times then followed this up with phone call surveys to various staff.”

The Nursing Times judges were particularly impressed that Benenden offers its nursing staff family-friendly hours, ongoing training and education, and free on-site parking.

Jane Abbott added: “Many of our nurses work part-time and say the reason they come to us to work is that we not only offer training and support, but we actually deliver it.”

It was a magnificent achievement to come top last year, but to win it again is amazing. I am very proud of all of them. Not only do they do a job well, but they enjoy it too.”

The 120-bed hospital, which employs approximately 140 nurses, treats members of The Benenden Healthcare Society, NHS patients under the Choose and Book scheme and private patients.

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