Blood test appointments are due to return to a hospital within the next month, it has been confirmed.

Patients had raised concerns about why Darent Valley Hospital (DVH) was not hosting appointments for Dartford residents who were reportedly told to travel either to Gravesend or Sidcup instead.

The Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which runs DVH, says it moved blood taking services out of the hospital as part of its response to coronavirus.

This was carried out in preparation for the increase in Covid-19 cases needing acute care.

Trust spokesman Glyn Oakley said: "Further infection control precautions were also put in place to minimise the spread of the virus.

"This included significantly reducing the footfall through the hospital along with many other restrictions designed to keep patients, staff and visitors safe."

Services were moved to the Gravesham Community Hospital and the hospital trust has been working with the Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to ensure it could continue safely aware from the hospital setting.

The trust says its preparations for an expected second wave have included maintaining more regular "business as usual" services than in the initial Covid outbreak from March.

It is expected blood services will resume at DVH from November 9.

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