Opening of NHS rehab facility delayed until 2026

The centre, which will help people recover from serious injuries and illnesses, was expected to open on 11 November

The opening of a new NHS rehabilitation centre has been delayed until 2026 while contractors deal with an issue with the building's water system.

The £105m National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) at Stanford Hall in Nottinghamshire had been due to welcome its first patients on 11 November, but a failed water quality check meant the opening was delayed.

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, which runs the site, said the water issue had put back the opening until the new year.

Patients will continue to be treated at a specialist neurological unit based at Nottingham City Hospital in the meantime, the trust added.

The 18-bed facility, near Loughborough, was created to help people recover from serious injuries and illnesses and has been years in the making.

NUH chief executive Anthony May said the trust was continuing to work closely with building contractors to ensure the NRC could open "as soon as possible in a way that is safe for all our patients".

The health boss said contractors, Integrated Health Projects, were working to resolve an issue with the building's hot water system, to ensure "the water quality meets the high standards required for this building and is not affected again in the future".

"Despite our extensive preparations, including training, staffing and operational readiness, we have not yet been able to accept the keys to the National Rehabilitation Centre from the building contractors," he said.

"We are disappointed by this delay, but we remain committed to delivering life-changing rehabilitation for patients in the East Midlands and beyond."

While the issue is resolved, patients will continue to be treated at Linden Lodge, the trust's specialist neurological rehabilitation unit based at Nottingham City Hospital.