A hospital trust's "wonderful and caring" nursing director has died after a long battle with illness.

Karen Rule, who worked at the Medway NHS Trust for six years, had been seriously unwell for several months, the trust said today.

Ms Rule was promoted to executive director of nursing for the trust which runs the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham after previously working as the deputy chief nurse.

She was in the director role for almost five years.

James Devine, chief executive of Medway NHS Trust, said: "Karen was a wonderful, caring nurse, who always put our patients first, and was warmly regarded by all her colleagues throughout the trust.

"She made a huge difference to our patients and community, playing a key role in helping to bring the trust out of special measures and putting quality at the centre of all that we do.

"She will forever be in our hearts and we will do everything we can to continue her legacy.

"We would like to send our deepest condolences to Karen’s family and friends and everyone who had the pleasure of working with her."

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