Health chiefs will get the chance to have their say about problems at Medway Maritime Hospital caused by soaring demand over the Christmas and New Year period.

The chief executives of the hospital, the ambulance service and NHS Medway have been invited to talk to a joint scrutiny committee drawn from children and health specialists.

It follows:

• The death of a patient referred to the accident and emergency service by his doctor.

• Patients being treated in queuing ambulances,

• The temporary closure of the hospital's maternity ward,

• Patients being transferred to Maidstone Hospital because of the delays

• The impact on children's services

The meeting - which will be open to the public - will take place at Gun Wharf, Chatham from 5.30pm on Tuesday, March 3.