A Kent hospital has opened a convenience store to ensure staff fighting on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis are able to pick up essential groceries.

The QEQM Hospital League of Friends has been forced to temporarily close the tea shop it usually runs at the Margate hospital, due to the pandemic.

But the facility is now being used as a grocery shop to support time-strapped members of staff during the Covid-19 crisis, in a pilot scheme that began yesterday.

In a post on Facebook, a spokesman for the League of Friends wrote: "We’re proud to be collaborating with the Hospital Trust in supporting the staff at this difficult time.

"The aim of the store is to help staff working varied shifts who can’t get out to get their groceries to pick up essentials such as bread, tinned goods, pasta, milk and products such as ready meals.

"It’s manned by NHS staff rather than our volunteers. The store is only open to staff - so please remember your staff badge - and only accepts contactless payments."

The convenience store, located at the entrance to the Walmer Suite near QEQM's St Peter's Road entrance, will run between 7.30am and 1pm, and 5pm to 8pm on weekdays. At weekends, it will open from 7.30am to 2pm, although these times may change depending on usage.

After the breakout of the coronavirus pandemic sparked a panic-buying frenzy, supermarkets faced pressure to allow tireless healthcare workers dedicated opportunities to grab essentials.

Many shops answered these calls by giving heroic NHS staff allotted shopping times during the fight against Covid-19.

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