Earlier this year, a damning report revealed that seven hospitals in the UK are in urgent need of replacement due to their unstable structure. These hospitals were built using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which is weaker than traditional concrete and has a lifespan of only 30 years. This material has been compared to a “chocolate Aero bar” and has resulted in the closure of over 100 schools.
The National Audit Office (NAO) found that 41 buildings across 23 hospital trusts contain RAAC, with seven of them at risk of collapse. Hospitals such as Airedale in West Yorkshire, Queen Elizabeth King’s Lynn in Norfolk, Hinchingbrooke in Cambridgeshire, Mid Cheshire Leighton in Cheshire, and Frimley Park in Surrey are among those affected. The West Suffolk Hospital and James Paget Hospital are the worst affected, with the former already installing metal supports under RAAC planks to ensure safety.
The UK government has pledged to remove RAAC from the NHS estate by 2035, allocating £685 million to address safety risks in these buildings. Rebuilding these hospitals is a priority as part of the government’s plan to construct 40 new hospitals by 2030. However, the NAO predicts that these targets may not be met due to project delays.
The issue of dangerous concrete in hospitals has raised concerns about patient and staff safety. The Liberal Democrats have called for urgent clarity from the government regarding the potential closure of hospital buildings or wards due to unsafe concrete. The Department of Health claims that their current monitoring and mitigation measures are appropriate, with no plans for further reviews.
NHS Providers has emphasized the need to bring the NHS estate into the 21st century, describing RAAC as a significant safety risk. It is crucial that all trusts have access to necessary capital funding to replace the concrete planks as soon as possible. The Department of Health and Social Care remains committed to removing RAAC from the NHS estate entirely by 2035 and has announced the replacement of the seven most affected hospitals by 2030 through the New Hospital Programme.
Despite following technical guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers, the NHS still faces challenges in dealing with RAAC. The maintenance backlog, building upgrades, and equipment costs in the NHS amount to £11 billion. This issue requires sustained attention from the government to rectify, as the current capital spending in the NHS is significantly lower than that of other OECD countries.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
