ADMINISTRATION

Kent and Canterbury Hospital was first established as a voluntary hospital and therefore responsible for its own administration. Its management structure was comprised of governors, who met at the various Board meetings, supported by a raft of standing and special committees. Presidency of the hospital was vested in the Archbishop of Canterbury until 1837; thereafter, the office of president was held by various notables, although successive archbishops have continued to play a role in the hospital's activities.

The General Board of Governors met twice each year for the purpose of investigating the general concerns of the charity, although special General Board meetings were held more frequently if deemed necessary. The Weekly Board of Governors initially met each week on Fridays to discuss minor matters of daily administration; from 1834, it also met on Tuesdays (although no change of name took place). In 1827, a Board of Management was established as an intermediate tier of administration. It met at least once every four weeks and dealt with more serious matters pertaining to the hospital's general administration. They reported their proceedings to the General Board.

The hospital drew its governors from among its subscribers and benefactors (on whom it was heavily dependent for its income), and from the physicians, surgeons and apothecaries, who were governors by virtue of their office. Different rates of contribution, above a minimum level, decreed if someone was eligible to become either a life governor or an annual governor.

Status as an independent hospital responsible for its own administration ended with the formation of the National Health Service (NHS) in July 1948. The hospital now fell within the purview of the Canterbury Group Hospital Management Committee (HMC) who attended to the day-to-day administration of all hospitals, clinics and convalescent homes in the Canterbury, Faversham, Herne Bay and Whitstable areas. From March 1974, the hospital came under the newly-formed Canterbury and Thanet Health District (comprising the former Canterbury Group HMC, St. Augustine's HMC and the Isle of Thanet HMC). Since then, the NHS has undergone several reorganisations, with the result that Kent and Canterbury Hospital has been administered by a number of different management teams and authorities. Currently, it is administered by the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.