Maidstone and Pembury Hospitals closed their doors to expectant mothers 97 times last year because of staff shortages.

The statistics appeared in The Observer newspaper yesterday and were obtained by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley under the Freedom of Information Act.

The 97 closures meant The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells trust had the worst record in the UK. Maidstone hospital shut 66 times, while Pembury closed on 31 occasions. The longest closure lasted for 18 hours.

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A trust spokesman said: "Wherever and whenever possible our practice is to provide one to one care in our units – one midwife to one woman. These high standards were among the reasons why our maternity units were rated as the best in Kent and among the best in the country by the Healthcare Commission last year.

"If lots of women go into labour at the same time, and one or other of our units is full, we will purposely divert between units, to maintain that level of one to one care. The same would be true while we make arrangements, for instance, to cover staff sickness.

Across the UK there were more than 550 maternity unit closures, caused by either a lack of staff or beds.

Maidstone and the Weald MP Ann Widdecombe said the statistic did seem "pretty shocking".

"To be told just as you arrive ready to give birth that you have to do another 17 mile journey does seem a little callous.

"If this is what is going on then people should know so that it doesn't come as an awful shock."

• Were you turned away by the hospital when you were in labour? Ring our newsdesk on 01622 695666 or email us at messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk