AHSCs have emerged to help overcome the many and interwoven challenges of health care systems, predominantly in the more developed economies. The primary purpose of AHSCs is to ensure medical research breakthroughs lead to timely and direct clinical benefits for patients. This is achieved by a collaborative partnership approach, involving universities (academic), health care providers (focused on research), clinical services, education and training.
Imperial College Healthcare (London) became the first AHSC to be established in the UK, which witnessed the amalgamation of Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine with Hammersmith Hospital and St Mary’s NHS Trusts. Since then, several more AHSCs have been created with more to be developed.
Kent Medical Campus is considered a strategic development location by Maidstone Borough Council and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. It has been identified for future development to significantly enhance the regional health, education and life sciences economy in the context of providing modern services within the categories of:
and allied health services: