A father now fighting for his life was told to wait his turn in Medway Maritime Hospital’s A&E department.

Despite having a letter from his GP saying he needed to be admitted immediately, 37-year-old Stewart Fleming had to join a long queue.

It was more than three hours before he received an initial assessment and more than five before he was examined fully.

After finally being admitted, his condition rapidly deteriorated. He has had a leg amputated and is in a drug-induced coma hovering between life and death in a London hospital.

Doctors believe a viral infection is attacking his vital organs.

Stewart’s wife, Sarah, from Rainham, is convinced the long delay in the A&E department might have harmed his chances of survival.

She said: "There are many questions. Why wait three hours for triage (assessment) when his doctor had already done it and put it in writing?

"We shouldn’t have had to queue. He should have been dealt with immediately."

Pick up a copy of this week's print edition of the Medway Messenger to read the full story and comment.