Hospital still waiting for full water test results

Taps and showers can still not be used in part of a hospital days after a critical incident was declared over an issue with its water supply.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS trust said the problem with the water supply in the west block of Darent Valley Hospital, in Dartford, began on 28 April but was isolated and repaired by 5 May, before testing took place.

In an update earlier, it said while it had received some test results, it was still waiting for others, which it expected "imminently".

It previously said the source of the contamination had been traced to one of the hospital's boilers leaking into the water supply.

It said filters had been fitted to taps and showers, with flushing being carried out twice a day, and portable sinks and bottled water brought in to protect patients.

It said about a quarter of the building had been affected, with no patients infected.

A spokesperson said: "We appreciate that this continues to present significant challenges across the organisation, particularly given the length of time the incident has been ongoing, but it is essential that we continue to follow the required safety processes.

"We are expecting further results imminently and hope to be able to provide another update very soon."

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