East Kent Hospitals Trust which operates Buckland Hospital at Dover, the QEQM at Margate, the William Harvey Hospital at Ashford, the Kent and Canterbury Hospital at Canterbury and the Royal Victoria Hospital at Folkestone has decided to cancel all outpatient appointment clinics with immediate effect.

However, some patients who need urgent investigation will be contacted individually by hospital staff and are being asked to attend if they possibly can.

Patients will be contacted by the appointment booking staff with a new date as soon as possible.

Anyone with concerns can contact Outpatient Appointments line on 01227 868686. Callers are asked to be patient if they cannot get through immediately, the department is very busy at the moment as expected.