“Essential” work has started on an emergency department building identified as being at risk of “fire spread”.

Dangerous external cladding at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford is set to be replaced over the next 18 weeks.

It comes after an assessment conducted earlier this year found that staff, patient and visitor safety were under threat due to the risk of a fire starting and spreading.

The report said there could be a “consequential risk of harm or death”.

“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 added.

The “essential” building works have now started and will see the external cladding around the emergency department replaced.

It is set to last until mid-December and will take around 18 weeks to complete.

The hospital trust posted an update on social media, warning patients they may notice a few changes.

It read: “The majority of the work will be external and should not pose any significant disruption but you will see some access platforms next to areas that are being worked on and may hear some noise as this is happening.

“Access to the hospital via the main hospital entrance remains open and unaffected at this time.

“The emergency department entrance is open for the majority of works and only closed and diverted for a short time during the works when there will be clearly marked alternative access at the rear of the building.”

It is understood the entrance closure is likely to take place from Wednesday, October 16 until the following Tuesday (October 22).

The hospital trust says it will be keeping people notified via social media channels as the work continues.