Unsafe cladding has been removed from the Guy’s Hospital cancer centre five years after it failed fire safety tests in 2017.
The tests were carried out following the Grenfell Fire in June 2017, which killed 72 people.
Removal works were supposed to begin in autumn that year but according to a Board of Directors Meeting report, were only completed last month.
Guy’s Cancer Centre cladding to be removed after failing fire safety tests
The report of the meeting on Wednesday, November 2 said: “Following the successful completion of removing all aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding from the north side of the centre on 17 October, scaffolding is now being erected on the west and south sides of the Cancer Centre to enable the next phase of the project to commence.
“Temporary footpath diversions have been installed on Great Maze Pond supported by safety marshals.
“Successful visits to review progress from the London Fire Brigade and the Health and Safety Executive were hosted recently.”
The affected panels covered 15 per cent of the building and contained a kind of aluminium composite material (ACM) associated with the Grenfell fire.
On discovering the material, London Fire Brigade said the building, which is fitted with full fire detection systems and sprinklers, was safe to remain open.
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Speaking at the time, Amanda Pritchard, chief executive at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We will carry out remedial work including the removal of cladding to ensure that we comply with the new Government advice, to reassure our patients and the public and to make sure that the cancer centre continues to reflect the highest safety standards.
“This will be done as quickly as possible in a planned and measured way, with work likely to start this autumn.
“The safety of our patients, visitors and staff continues to be our highest priority.”
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has been asked why it took five years for the cladding to be removed.