13 trusts facing ‘significant safety issues’

Thirteen trusts are facing billions of pounds of maintenance — in some cases, making it more cost-effective to rebuild the hospital — over ‘significant safety issues’ stemming from outdated construction methods. 

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete planks were used when constructing public sector buildings in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, including a group of prefabricated hospitals under the government’s “Best Buy” building programme. However, RAAC planks used in buildings constructed prior to 1980 have now exceeded their shelf life, meaning affected trusts need to carry out frequent inspections and expensive maintenance.

For at least three of the affected trusts — Mid Cheshire Hospitals FT, Airedale FT and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn FT — it would be more cost-effective to build new hospitals than replace the planks in their existing facilities.

Victoria Pickles, director of corporate affairs at Airedale FT, told HSJ 85% of the trust’s buildings’ floors, roofs and walls comprised RAAC planks, with one ward closing due to the risk.

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Source: HSJ, 3 December 2020