The threat to vital services at Kent and Canterbury Hospital escalated this week amid fears junior doctors could be pulled from the site.

Inspectors from Health Education England (HEE) have been at the hospital’s urgent care centre, investigating whether medical trainees are being properly supervised and able to deliver safe and effective care.

The visit comes in the wake of the East Kent hospitals trust denying claims it has told staff the centre is closing imminently.

But those concerns have been heightened by the HEE visit, as well as speculation that a representative from the British Medical Association could be visiting the hospital today to talk to junior doctors.

A report early last year by HEE had already flagged up failings at what was then the emergency care centre, where it was found junior doctors were not supported enough to deal with some seriously ill or injured patients.

A letter to the trust warned that all medical trainees would be removed from the K&C if urgent action was not taken.

It said: “A failure to undertake this would result in the removal of medical trainees from the K&C site.

"This action could destabilise acute hospital services within east Kent and in particular would mean the closure of the ECC and removal of the unselected medical take on the site.

“This would result in the loss of acute medical support for other services on the site and the immediate physical movement of all in-patient vascular surgery, high risk urology, inpatient renal, haematocology and neurology services from the site, leaving only a few, low-risk medical patients.”

As a result of the visit, the emergency care centre became the urgent care centre, with patients suffering acute stomach pain, mental health issues and alcohol intoxication diverted to hospitals in Margate and Ashford.

But despite the changes being implemented, HEE officials returned to the K&C this week amid claims a staffing crisis could force the temporary closure of the urgent care centre.

HEE regional director Julie Screaton said: “HEE has been working with the East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust in order to improve the quality of education and training in the minor injuries unit and urgent care centre.

“Patient safety is the primary concern for Health Education England and is underpinned by our responsibility for the welfare of junior doctors.

“We will not hesitate to act if we feel that doctors in training are not being supervised properly and safeguards are not in place for them to be able to deliver safe and effective care.

“However, no decision has been made and we continue to work with the trust and the General Medical Council to monitor and assess the situation.”

Trust spokesman Steve James confirmed the medical deanery of the HEE has been carrying out an on-site review of the medical training of its junior doctors.

He added: “If it has any recommendations following the visit, it will inform the Trust.”