The new Buckland Hospital has been branded an “absolute joke” in a string of bad reviews by patients since the £24 million premises opened last summer.

The modern “state-of-the-art” facility in Coombe Valley Road has experienced a dramatic fall in ratings since last July, according to an online forum.

People have posted their experiences under a feedback section on the NHS website holding general information about the hospital.

The most recent post, from a 36-week pregnant woman in December, called the general medicine department “disorganised”.

The woman said: “After two hours of messing about I had no idea what I was doing and still had to visit the GP.

“There’s no communication between departments, appointments are not on time, and it’s very disorganised.

“There’s no communication between departments, appointments are not on time, and it’s very disorganised.'

“I shall make sure that I never set foot in there again after today. It’s an absolute joke.”

Sally Smith, chief nurse and director of quality at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, responded: “Thank you so much for taking the trouble to let us know about your poor experience at Buckland Hospital.

“I am so sorry this was so disorganised and it also sounds like we wasted your time.”

Valerie Corbin, who lives in Deal, gave the urology department a rating of two stars out of five in October.

She said: “Getting there was a bit of an issue as I live in Deal and public transport is limited.

“I found this hospital to be lacking in many areas and was very unsatisfied.”

A response from the hospital, written two months later, asked Ms Corbin to get in contact to resolve her complaint.

Since August 2015, only one item of feedback has been positive.

One person, who remained anonymous, said the staff at the minor injuries unit were lovely.

It reads: “I was greeted by a lovely friendly nurse who made my visit very pleasant. It was such a nice change from past NHS experiences.”

The positive reviews began to slow up in March 2015 – just before the hospital transferred to its new building.

MP Charlie Elphicke called it a “state-of-the-art, cutting edge hospital” when he was invited along with a Mercury reporter to tour the building last year.

He told the Mercury: “I am gravely concerned to see the concerns raised about Buckland Hospital.

“I have asked the hospital trust chief executive to have a meeting at the hospital in the next month to go through these concerns and discuss how improvements can be made.”

A spokesman for East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust said: “During December 2015, 100% of patients visiting the Buckland Hospital Minor Injuries Unit said they would recommend it as a place to receive treatment.

“This was recorded through the Friends and Family Test responses over a two week period.

“Patients commented on the kindness and professionalism of the staff, speed of treatment and cleanliness

“We always listen to feedback and look for ways to improve our services.

“Anyone who feels they have not received the level of care they would expect should contact our patient-experience team.”

Overall, the hospital scores 3.5 stars out of five based on 17 ratings published by its users.

To see the reviews, or write one, visit http://tinyurl.com/gortwfm.