New Cross Hospital cladding to stay in place for now

The cladding, which covers both ends of the hospital's Heart and Lung Centre, failed a safety test earlier this month after new measure were brought in following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Cladding on the building was found to include Aluminium Composite Material and failed a combustibility test. Bosses say that it does not pose an immediate danger but that it will be removed, providing they can find something that they can replace it with which will keep patients as warm.

Speaking at the meeting, chief executive David Loughton, said: "You cannot compare this like for like with Grenfell.

"Grenfell had one staircase as the main entry and exit route. In our centre there are multiple routes in and out as well as tunnels beneath the building.

"The fire officers have been down and assessed this centre as a low risk to staff and patients.

"So what me must do is look to remove and replace it with insulation that can withstand the minus 10 degrees temperature in December."

The report showed that the Trust had immediately created an action plan to address the issue and called in fire officers to assess the building.

A statement in the 'Heart & Lung Centre - four stage plan' said: "Due to the already high standard of general fire precautions in the Heat and Lung Centre, i.e. good compartmentation, good alarm systems, only five storeys, well-trained staff available 24/7, on site security etc, the residual risk was deemed to be acceptable while awaiting further guidance."

The cost of addressing the issue of the cladding is not yet clear.

The building passed all fire safety regulations in place when it was built in 2004.

So far six NHS organisations have submitted building material samples that have failed combustibility tests – including New Cross. No further buildings at the hospital are due to be tested.