The final phase of refurbishment work at Medway Maritime Hospital’s emergency department is “on track,” insist health bosses.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s board has been reassured by its director of estates and facilities Gary Lupton that the project will be completed by next month.

He told members: “End of July or early August is the current aim. We are currently on track.”

In May, the trust admitted the building contractor had struggled to find a skilled workforce to carry out the works – pushing back plans to open the improved facilities by June.

An £18m contract – which also included building a new children’s department, minors area, and majors waiting area at the hospital in Gillingham – was awarded to Integrated Health Projects in 2016.

Speaking earlier this year, executive director of clinical operations James Lowell said the delays have had no impact on providing care to patients.

He added: “We have provided a full range of emergency care to our community throughout the refurbishment works over the last year to avoid causing any inconvenience to those who have needed our services.”