£20bn will be used to rebuild seven new hospitals in the East of England which are affected by RAAC
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight and porous form of concrete.
It was used heavily in educational and health facilities between the 1960s and 1980s. This material is usually found on roofs, walls, and floors.
RAAC is weaker than typical concrete; therefore, its use in schools and hospitals has become problematic. The government has begun a process of eliminating the material from public buildings.
RAAC has already led to major problems in the UK
In 2018, a primary school in Essex experienced a sudden roof collapse, drawing attention to the issue. Following this incident, a total of 20 hospitals at 18 different NHS trusts across the UK were found to be affected by the same problem.
Consequently, the NHS carried emergency support and monitoring across severely impacted hospitals in the UK, many of which were found in the East of England.
Health Minister Lord Markham visited the hospital construction sites this week, starting at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. Here, Lord Markham saw how the hospital’s £11m budget was being spent.
Markham also visited King’s Lynn to view the rebuild of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital before finishing at Hinchingbrooke Hospital near Huntingdon.
“The East of England will benefit from seven new hospitals by 2030 through the New Hospital Programme, and this week I’ve been visiting some of the sites which will be prioritised due to the presence of RAAC,” said Lord Markham.
“I’ve enjoyed speaking to patients, staff, and local leaders across the region about the plans and progress. These will help to improve safety as well as care and allow patients to be seen more quickly,” he added.
The hospital construction plans still await government approval
All three hospitals are in the strategic outline phase, and the proposed details for redevelopment are still under consideration.
Once this phase is complete, the plans will undergo ministerial review to ensure they fulfill the requirements of both staff and patients while also delivering cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.
The Airedale Hospital in West Yorkshire, the Mid Cheshire Leighton Hospital in Cheshire, and Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey are also due for rebuilding due to the RAAC-related issues.
