Kent Health Protection Unit

The Health Protection Unit (HPU) provides specialist health protection advice as well as operational support on all health protection matters to NHS trusts, local authorities, community health services (including schools and social services), and the general public. The local authority and Primary Care Trust (PCT) areas served by the Unit are listed on our "areas served" page.

The Unit is responsible for the surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of communicable disease in the county of Kent. It is also responsible for assessing and advising on public health risks associated with chemical, biological, radiological and other environmental hazards in Kent.

It is based in Maidstone and coterminous with the county of Kent and the Kent & Medway Strategic Health Authority (SHA).

General inquiries on infectious disease and health protection issues should be directed to NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Last reviewed: 13 November 2007