THE Western Health Trust says a safety review with be carried out Altnagelvin Hospital after the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Coating on the West London block may have accelerated the blaze which left at least 20 dead with some 76 people reported missing.
In a statement, the Western Trust said: “In line with the recent Department of Health communication to all HSC bodies, the Trust is undertaking an immediate assessment of fire safety precautions of Trust facilities including checks on the type of cladding used.
“All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of staff and patients.”
In a statement, the Department of Health added: “All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of staff and patients. We have asked Health and Social Care bodies to undertake an immediate assessment of their fire safety precautions as a result of the tragic incident in London, including checks on the type of cladding used.”
A number of hospitals in Northern Ireland have recently been refurbished, but it is unclear if cladding was used.
The renovated South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon is one which was and it will be reviewed by experts.
The Housing Executive, which manages 32 high-rise buildings, has confirmed that four have been or are in the process of being clad.
On three blocks, HSENI said the covering comprises of a rainscreen system made up of PVC panels and Rockwool insulation – which is engineered to slow the spread of fire.
The fourth block is a design and build scheme using a BBA (British Board of Agreement) external wall insulation system which consists of 120mm of fire retardant polystyrene covered with a 9mm reinforced plaster render.
None of the blocks have sprinklers installed.
Tags: