Margate’s Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital is seeking police advice after receiving a number of abusive and threatening calls following an incident involving an RAF sergeant.

Aircraft engineer Mark Prendeville was rushed to accident and emergency at the hospital after chemicals were blown into his eyes during a training exercise at Manston.

According to The Sun, the 38-year-old, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was told that many “other cultures” use the hospital and he was moved into an empty corner over fears his camouflage fatigues may offend other patients.

But hospital bosses have defended the actions of the staff member and said that she acted in good faith.

Chris Bown, chief executive of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The member of staff who offered the sergeant an opportunity to move into the main accident and emergency department rather than remain in the waiting room was acting in good faith and was simply trying to be kind and helpful to the patient.

“A few days earlier she had witnessed an incident in which some unruly members of the public had abused a member of the military in the A&E waiting room and she was keen to ensure the RAF sergeant was not subjected to similar abuse.

“We have reminded our staff members of Her Majesty’s armed forces, whether in uniform or not, should receive treatment based on clinical need and should not be treated any differently to any other patient.

“We have apologised for any embarrassment this incident may have caused.

“As a former soldier myself I would find any discrimination against the military wholly unacceptable but I do not think there was any intention to discriminate in this case.

“As a result of this story, our staff have been subject to a number of abusive and threatening calls, comments and messages.

“We are seeking advice from the police in relation to some of these calls.”

Police spokesman Scarlet Jones said: "Police have spoken to staff at the QEQM hospital following media reports of an incident.

"However, no specific offences have been identified at this stage."