A hospital’s new emergency department will finally open this month, it has been announced.

Health bosses have continually pushed back the launch date of the new facility, having originally suggested it would be ready for patients in June.

Stephen Clark, Medway NHS Foundation Trust board chairman, confirmed at a meeting yesterday that the construction work will be completed by the end of the month.

He said: “On November 20, we will – as long-awaited – open the new emergency department. It will be a big plus for the trust, especially as we come to Christmas.”

It is believed the opening ceremony will be carried out by outgoing trust chief executive Lesley Dwyer.

The latest delay was brought about after the estates team identified an issue with the ventilation system as “the original designs were wrong”.

In May, the trust admitted the building contractor had struggled to find a skilled workforce to complete the project.

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

The trust maintains the delays have had no impact on providing care to patients.