A flood risk appraisal of a mid-town site as part of a wider study is in the final stages. Early indications are that work will be required to deal with the risk of flooding, but the nature of the work is not yet known, nor how much this might cost or how long it might take to put in place.

In September last year a mid-town site was agreed by NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent’s board.

However, it was acknowledged that there was a flood risk around the site, and that the decision might need to be reviewed. In the meantime a flood risk appraisal has been carried out on behalf of Dover District Council. This is expected to be concluded in October.

Ann Sutton, chief executive of NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent, and Stuart Bain, chief executive of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Both our organisations are committed to providing an improved service for local people. We are not ruling out the mid-town site, but as part of any planning application it is clear we will need to demonstrate we have considered all the options.

“Therefore, at the same time as the flood risk appraisal report is being finalised, we are looking at other sites, including those previously considered, so that we are well prepared to make decisions speedily when the time comes.”