The NRC, which will be run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), was initially due to welcome its first patients on Tuesday 11 November.

Anthony May, chief executive at NUH, said: ‘Despite our extensive preparations, including training, staffing and operational readiness, we have not yet been able to accept the keys to the National Rehabilitation Centre from the building contractors.  

‘The delay is due to an issue that has been identified in the hot water system. Our building contractors, Integrated Health Projects, are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible to ensure the water quality meets the high standards required for this building and is not affected again in the future.

‘We are disappointed by this delay, but we remain committed to delivering life-changing rehabilitation for patients in the East Midlands and beyond.'

Patients are continuing to be treated at the trust's specialist neurological rehabilitation unit based at Nottingham City Hospital. The trust said it will also return to running rehabilitation services within the bed base at NUH to support a wider cohort of patients who will be treated at the NRC.