Building work starts today on the latest improvements to Medway’s emergency department.

An eight-week project, part of the £13.4 million refurbishment of A&E, will create better access for ambulances arriving on site.

The bulk of the works will take place between next Monday, May 16 and Friday, May 27.

During this period, contractors will start work on realigning the main access road that runs directly outside the emergency department.

It will also involve the excavation of a large section of the grass bank next to the Postgraduate Centre, as well as the construction of a lay-by for ambulances.

During construction, ambulances will still be able to access the site as normal, as will patients with disabilities or mobility problems travelling by car.

It does, however, mean that some patients and visitors travelling by car will not be permitted to travel further than this point.

Claire Lowe, director of estates and facilities at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These works are an essential part in the next phase of our exciting plans to redevelop the emergency department.

“We’re not anticipating any major disruption. At the same time, we would like to remind people that we will have certain traffic restrictions in place. This will prevent some people in vehicles from dropping off or picking up from the main reception.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Millions of pounds of government funding is being invested in Medway’s A&E after the Keogh review into high death rates in 2013 branded it out of date and completely inadequate.

A number of improvements have been made including a new children’s department.

Medway's A&E was originally designed for 44,000 people but in 2014/15 more than 99,000 people attended.