Part of a £30 million expansion at a Kent hospital's A&E department has now opened and is being used by patients for the first time.

The extension at Ashford's William Harvey Hospital includes12 rapid assessment bays, nine resuscitation bays, dedicated areas for patients with mental health needs, and a large new ambulance entrance.

The new facilities opened this week following £30 million national NHS investment.

Bosses at the East Kent Hospital NHS University Foundation Trust - which runs the William Harvey - says "the new additions will help the team see and treat more patients in a timely way" and "in much improved surroundings".

It comes as data from last year revealed the department is used by about 280 people each day - but predicted future demand could soar to about 400 patients daily.

The second phase of the transformation starts next month, when more renovations within the existing department get underway to improve facilities for patients, visitors and staff.

Liz Shutler, deputy chief executive, says the extension means the hospital can fulfil its ambition of providing the "best possible care in the best possible environment".

“This is excellent news for patients and staff," she said.

“Our nurses, doctors and build teams have worked hard to design a much bigger and better space to treat some of our sickest patients.”

On their Facebook page, East Kent Hospital NHS Trust Foundation posted: "This major expansion will give our patients, visitors and staff a bigger, better and safer environment.

"Huge thanks to the many hospital teams involved and our build partners 2gether Support Solutions and Bauvill.

"Thank you for your continued patience while we carry out these improvements."

It comes as healthcare in east Kent could be due for a major sake up.

As it stands, two proposals are under consideration for the future of services in Ashford, Margate and Canterbury.

Option 1 would see all major services centralised at the William Harvey, with Margate’s QEQM A&E unit expanded and the Kent & Canterbury (K&C) scaled back to a hospital specialising in diagnostics and routine surgery.

Meanwhile, Option 2 would see the construction of a new super hospital on land next to the existing K&C.

The five-storey brick building would host a major emergency unit for all of the surrounding districts, with all specialist services such as heart and stroke care centralised in the city.

It would result in the closure of A&E departments at Ashford and Margate, which would both be downgraded to urgent treatment centres.

A timeline for the overhaul of services at the three hospitals is currently unclear - as the process has rumbled on for years.