A hospital, where one patient died after contracting a superbug, has re-opened.

Livingstone Hospital, in East Hill, Dartford, was closed to admissions as a precautionary measure after an outbreak of deadly virus Clostridium difficile (C-diff), which struck seven patients, killing one. Two others who contracted the disease also died, but NHS West Kent, which manages the hospital, said their deaths were due to other non-related causes.

The hospital, which provides specialist rehabilitation to older people, was closed to admissions two weeks ago while deep cleans were carried out and infection control procedures put in place.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, director of the Kent Health Protection Unit, said: “My team has held meetings with staff at Livingstone Hospital and I am satisfied the necessary measures to control the infection have been taken. We are continuing to monitor the situation and to support NHS West Kent in the work they are doing."