A minor injury unit (MIU) has been shut unexpectedly today.

The unit at Sheppey Community Hospital in Plover Road, Minster has been closed all day with no patients able to use its walk-in clinic.

Its services are provided by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust which confirmed the closure.

The MIU usually helps patients with urgent care, sexual health and community orthopaedics between 8am-8pm.

Though no confirmed reason has been given for the closure, it was understood to be due to staff shortages.

The trust says it expects the unit to be open as usual tomorrow but has been asked for more information about today’s closure.

For now, anyone in need of its services is being instructed to use the MIU at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital in Bell Road, Sittingbourne.