Concrete crisis: Hospital and GP surgery are f irst NHS buildings linked to ‘danger’ material

A HOSPITAL and a GP surgery have become the first NHS buildings in Scotland to be confirmed as containing dangerous collapsing concrete.

In the wake of concerns about the structural stability of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which was used in construction between the 1960s and the mid-90s, an urgent review is under way of buildings throughout the health service.

The Scottish Government said it is expected to take around eight months – during which time experts will assess whether any of the 250 suspect buildings need to be made safe.

Meanwhile, The Scottish Mail on Sunday has discovered that the suspect concrete has so far been found in University Hospital Crosshouse, Ayrshire, and Biggar Health Centre, Lanarkshire.

It has also been detected in 35 schools, according to the Scottish Government. First Minister Humza Yousaf said yesterday: ‘We don’t think at this stage that there’s any need for any schools to shut.’

Thousands of public buildings across the UK may have degraded

‘Safety of patients, staff and visitors our priority’

material. RAAC contains tiny air bubbles, making it weaker than standard concrete.

It can start to fail after 30 years, particularly if water has seeped into the bubbles, corroding steel reinforcements.

Of Scotland’s 14 health boards, two confirmed that the concrete was present in buildings, while six said specialist surveys were ongoing or imminent.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘NHS Scotland Assure are conducting a survey programme which will confirm how many buildings in the NHS estate contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. We expect this to take around eight months.’

Nicola Graham, director of infrastructure and support services for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said RAAC planks found at three locations at University Hospital Crosshouse ‘were not generally dis‘Our tressed, nor did they appear to have deflected excessively’.

She added: ‘The safety of patients, staff and visitors is our priority and while there is no immediate risk, the organisation will take proactive action to ensure mitigation.’

NHS Lanarkshire said of Biggar Health Centre: ‘This building is in good condition and is being annually inspected.’ NHS Borders said: next step is to undertake a more detailed physical survey of buildings identified as potentially having RAAC.’

NHS Highland said further investigation was needed. NHS Grampian has identified 54 sites where RAAC may have been used.

NHS Tayside said it was working with NHS National Services Scotland, while NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is ‘assessing’ its estate. Jim Crombie, NHS Lothian’s deputy chief executive, said: ‘We have a robust programme of maintenance and monitoring.’

Shetland, Orkney, Dumfries and Galloway and Forth Valley said they believe their estates are free of RAAC.

Western Isles and Fife did not reply.