Patients are due to air concerns over high death rates at Medway Maritime Hospital tonight as national investigators arrive in the towns.

The hospital in Windmill Road, Gillingham, is one of 14 being probed in the wake of the scandal at Stafford Hospital.

Failings at every level there led to up to 1,200 unnecessary deaths.

Medway is one of the worst offenders in the country, with 202 more people than expected dying from October 2011 and September 2012, according to NHS data.

Investigators led by Sir Bruce Keogh are due to arrive this morning and will hold a public “listening event” tonight at 6.30pm at Chatham’s Brook Theatre.

Patients who attend can share their experiences and voice their concerns.

They will only be at the hospital for a few days. It is hoped their results will be published this summer.

But it will be at least the end of the year before Medway's hospital trust can continue its planned merger with the Dartford and Gravesham hospital trust.

Hospital chief executive Mark Devlin said there was no single issue behind the higher than expected mortality indicators.

He added: "There are likely to be constructive recommendations about things the Trust could improve further and we would view this positively."

To attend tonight's event call 01634 825292 or e-mail members@medway.nhs.uk.