Delays to work on Croydon University Hospital A&E unit mean it will not re-open until December, it has been revealed.

Currently, the A&E unit has been relocated to various different areas of the hospital in Woodcroft Road.

More than £21m has been pumped into the new build, which promises to create a state-of-the-art dedicated children’s emergency unit, a new Urgent Care Centre and doors on cubicles.

Reasons for the delay include rerouting water services and the removal of asbestos. The build that was meant to be completed by Spring this year.

Part of the newly built emergency department, known as the ‘Resuscitation Unit’, will be in use from later on this month. This is where the most ill patients will be treated when they come by ambulance.

A Croydon University NHS spokesman said: “This has slipped from the original schedule.  The contractors encountered unexpected delays, including rerouting water services and the removal of asbestos.

"We have agreed robust plans with the contractor to recover as much time as possible, but we will not compromise on the quality of the final build to save time.

“During construction we are continuing to provide a full range of A&E services for local people in our temporary Emergency Department at Croydon University Hospital.”

Got a story? Get in touch samantha.mordi@london.newsquest.co.uk