POLICE chiefs were breathing a sigh of relief after an officer who sought medical attention in relation to recent Novichok poisonings was given the all-clear.

The emergency department at the Great Western Hospital was closed for around five hours.

A NHS spokeswoman said the officer was transferred from Swindon to Salisbury District Hospital.

Here’s how it happened:

Around 5pm: Officer attends the ED at GWH seeking help “in connection with the ongoing incident at Amesbury”. Patients described the ED being put on “lock down”, as staff closed the department to any new arrivals.

5pm-7pm: The officer is believed to be moved to Salisbury District Hospital by ambulance. No air ambulance is seen arriving at the hospital. Members of the public are told by security staff when they arrive at the ED to visit Cirencester or Bath. A police sergeant is at the front door to the ED, taking names of those entering the building.

Swindon Advertiser:

8.10pm: A member of staff wearing a green hazardous materials suit is seen coming out of a rear entrance to the ED normally used by paramedics to bring in sick patients. The staff member removes the safety suit. Screens partially block the view.

Swindon Advertiser:

8.20pm: Two police cars arrive and officers bundle clear plastic bags, believed to have contained the green haz-mat suits, into the back of their cars.

8.30pm: An ambulance belonging to the South Central Ambulance Service, which serves the Oxfordshire area, arrives at the scene. Paramedics are told they cannot admit their patient.

8.45pm: TV crews begin to arrive.

C.9pm: Salisbury District Hospital and the Great Western Hospital issue the following statement:

“A Police Officer attended Great Western Hospital this evening for medical advice in connection with the ongoing incident in Amesbury. There is nothing to suggest there is any wider risk to anyone at the hospital.

“The individual has now been taken to Salisbury District Hospital, which has the ability to carry out the appropriate specialist tests. Salisbury District Hospital has seen a number of members of the public who have come to the hospital with health concerns since this incident started and none have required any treatment.

“We would like to reiterate the advice from Public Health England that the risk to the wider public remains low.”

9.30pm: A GWH spokeswoman says staff are cleaning the ED, following Public Health England guidelines.

10pm: GWH staff handing out copies of the press statement confirm that no major incident has been declared.

10.10pm: The ED reopens.

10.45pm: Wiltshire Police say their officer has been given the all-clear. A spokesman says: “We are pleased to confirm that the police officer who sought precautionary medical advice at Salisbury District Hospital in connection with the ongoing incident in Amesbury has been assessed and given the all clear.

“We would like to reiterate the advice from Public Health England that the risk to the public remains low.”