A hospital was put on lockdown today as a man was placed in a fenced off area outside.

Visitors, staff and patients could not get in or out of Sheppey Community Hospital in Plover Road, Minster, for over an hour.

The man, believed to be a contractor and wearing a hi-viz vest, was looked after by nursing staff during the emergency.

Firefighters at the scene of the lockdown

Fire crews were sent to the scene.

A spokesman said: "We were called at 12.11pm. One fire engine attended to help the hospital."

The fire crew was stood down shortly before 1.30pm at which time people were being allowed out.

Cllr Peter MacDonald, who represents Sheppey Central on Swale council, was at the hospital with his partner Loreley Tansley for a blood test.

He said: "No one seemed to know what was going on, so we came away."

One man who could not get into the hospital earlier today to visit a relative, said: "Sheppey Community Hospital is on complete lockdown.

"Staff, patients or visitors can't get in or out and nobody knows why.

"It's been locked down for well over an hour, I was visiting a relative and got sent away."

A decontamination expert from Kent Fire and Rescue later gave the all-clear.

Reports on social media suggested a man had been exposed to radiation.

However, Kent Community Health Foundation NHS Trust, which runs part of the hospital, said: "The Minor Injury Unit has now reopened after being closed for around an hour earlier today.

"The hospital was closed for a short time as a precaution while we were dealing with an incident.

"We apologise for any inconvenience."

The trust said it could not give further information due to patient confidentiality.

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