Works to remove dangerous cladding that has left a hospital with an extremely high risk of “fire spread” are set to begin.

The extraction will start in the A&E department of Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford in the coming weeks.

The work follows an assessment conducted earlier this year which found staff, patient and visitor safety was under threat due to the risk of a fire starting and spreading.

It added there could be “consequential risk of harm or death” if a fire occurs.

The report said: “It is recognised that the cladding of the building does not comply with fire safety requirements that were in place at the time of the build.”

It also highlighted breaches in compartmentation - the method of dividing a building into compartments to delay the spread of fire - due to a “compromise in cavity barriers”.

Delays in “identifying source of fire due to incorrect programming of the fire alarm system” were also found.

The severity of the issue falls under risk level five, which is considered “catastrophic”.

KentOnline previously reported that removing and replacing the cladding from the site could take two to three years to complete.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which runs the hospital in Darenth Wood Road, has confirmed work will begin to remove the material at its emergency department in the coming weeks.

The job in the A&E section alone is expected to cost more than £1 million and the Trust says this section will be completed by the end of the year.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “The Trust has been made aware of issues including external cladding that could increase the risk of fire spread on the Darent Valley hospital site.

“The necessary detailed surveys and planning are leading into a significant building plan to rectify these in priority order, with work beginning in the coming weeks at the front of the emergency department to replace the cladding.

“As this is widespread and complicated work conducted in a busy hospital, we are working closely with the owners of the building, their constructors, Kent Fire and Rescue and our own fire safety experts to ensure we reduce the risks both now and during the building work.

“We will follow the advice of fire safety experts in our planning and use of the hospital, maintaining our responsibilities for fire safety at all stages of the building work.”

The Trust noted it has already introduced other measures, including a team of fire wardens patrolling the whole site 24/7, increased awareness campaigns, restrictions on certain activities within the building and enhanced training for all staff.

It also installed more than 100 extra fire blankets last year.

Group manager for building safety at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Steve Burwell, said: “We are working with the responsible persons at Darent Valley Hospital to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors while continued fire safety improvements are met, and we will provide advice and support as necessary.”

Darent Valley Hospital was the country’s first private finance initiative (PFI) hospital when it opened in September 2000 and was delivered to time and cost.

The PFI scheme allowed the public sector to be able to finance large public works projects in the NHS through the private sector.

But it has come under fire from some who argue it has effectively mortgaged the health service’s future and put it at risk of higher borrowing costs.