Fire safety concerns at £380m University Hospital Coventry
- Published
The hospital trust said interim fire safety precautions were in place pending remedial work to the building structures
A £380m hospital which opened 10 years ago may have been constructed without adequate fire protection, a safety review has revealed.
University Hospital Coventry is undergoing remedial work because its structures "were not as robust" as originally planned.
The hospital trust says interim safety measures are in place during the work.
Skanska, which built the hospital under a private finance initiative (PFI) scheme, declined to comment.
David Eltringham, chief operating officer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, said: "We can assure our patients, staff and visitors that we remain vigilant in ensuring fire safety standards are maintained at all times."
He said the trust "learned of some potential issues with the infrastructure" which prompted the internal investigation.
The investigation found that "in the unlikely event of a fire, the structures to prevent it spreading were not as robust as those specified in the original plan for the building", Mr Eltringham added.
The trust says it collaborated with Skanska to identify remedial work and is working with the fire service to optimise fire safety standards.
Meanwhile, steps are being taken to strengthen fire safety including additional patrols and increasing rubbish collections.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "We are working together with University Hospital Coventry and have an action plan in place for upgrading fire standards."
Construction firm Skanska, which was paid to build the hospital, said it had nothing further to add to the statement issued by the trust.