CLADDING is to be removed from a children’s hospital as a precaution.

The move at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow comes six months after it emerged similar panels to those used on the Grenfell Tower were involved in the building of the flagship Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) on the same site.

Documents state a “further issue” had been identified in external cladding used at the children’s hospital, but added the risk level was “extremely low”.

Work is due to get under way in the new year to replace panels at the QEUH.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said discussions were continuing about how to replace the panels at the children’s hospital.

The documents said: “Health Facilities Scotland and the main hospital contractor Multiplex had confirmed a further cladding issue on the Royal Hospital for Children had emerged [and] it was intended to replace the affected panels as a precautionary measure.”

A total of 71 people died in the Grenfell Tower blaze in June.

A spokesman for NHSGGC said: “Discussions continue with the hospital developer Multiplex about the replacement options available for Royal Hospital for Children.

“Senior Board Directors and Health Facility Scotland are finalising the preferred options and programme of works for the QEUH and it is intended to issue an instruction to proceed in early January.

“Discussions with Glasgow City Council have been positive and it is agreed that a building warrant application will be made for both the adult’s and children’s hospitals when a start date for works will be able to be agreed.

He added talks were on-going between the Scottish Government and Multiplex, over who will pay for the work.