Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding similar to the type used on Grenfell Tower has been discovered on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.

During a recent meeting of the Ministerial Working Group on building and fire safety, Ministers were updated that ACM cladding has been found by experts on parts of the hospital.

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service reassured Ministers that as part of its regular risk based audit programme, it had carried out fire safety audits within the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which were found to be satisfactory.

As a result of the discovery, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has decided to remove the sections of cladding.

NHSGGC said: "Last month we brought in external technical advisers to give the Board further assurance on fire safety following concerns arising about external cladding as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire.

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"As part of these further forensic checks we have identified a type of Aluminium Composite Material on parts of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital of a similar type to, but not the same as, Grenfell.

"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have also provided further reassurance that as part of its regular risk based audit programme, it had carried out fire safety audits within the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which were found to be satisfactory.

"However, as a purely precautionary measure, and to make sure the public, our patients and our staff have full confidence in the safety of the hospital we have taken the decision to remove the panels from the areas of the hospital where these panels are.

"The panels that will be removed are present in three external sections of the building and we are currently working with contractors and technical advisers to assess how this work can proceed at the earliest possible opportunity."

Cabinet Secretary for Health Shona Robison said further forensic checks are taking place across the whole NHS estate in Scotland as patient safety is "paramount".

"Following the identification of a type of ACM on the QEUH of a similar type to, but not the same as Grenfell, I am reassured that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have decided that the material is should be removed as a precautionary measure," she said.

(LM)