Twenty seven patients had to rebooked for scans after ceiling tiles fell down at the radiology department at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport on 4 March.

Further disruption was caused after ceiling tiles fell down following a water pump failure at the hospital's ICU department on 5 March.

All patients at the 13-bed ICU unit were temporarily moved while repair work was carried out, with the unit back in use on 8 May.

A Stockport NHS Trust spokesperson said: 'Leaks are a relatively common occurrence across a large and diverse estate, made up of different aged buildings, infrastructure, and condition. However, leaks range from very small, low impactful leaks as a result of a simple fault or user error through to the recent incident in our critical care dept required which required a business continuity response with support from multiple stakeholders.

'In response, we regularly survey the estate to measure the condition and help us direct investment to the appropriate area. During periods of wet weather, the local maintenance teams respond to any reported water ingress incidents and where possible complete a repair. It Is common for small repairs to convert into larger more complex work, up to an including roof replacement. When this occurs specialist advice and/or specialist contractors are regularly used to support the required work.'

A new emergency and urgent care campus is currently being built at the hospital.