The Birthing Centre at Buckland Hospital has re-opened after pipe work was repaired and asbestos was removed.

The centre was temporarily closed on January 27 when a broken hot water supply pipe was discovered and engineers then discovered asbestos isultating materials around the pipes.

The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that the repairs were completed on Monday night and all asbestos had been removed.

Lindsey Stevens, Head of Midwifery for the Trust, said: “We are delighted that we are back in business and very grateful to all those who worked so hard to get us up and running so quickly.

“We are happy to welcome the mothers back to the birthing centre again.”