The seven hospitals declared ‘structurally unsound’ after being made with ‘aero bar’ concrete

Seven entire hospitals are ‘structurally unsound’ and urgently need replacing after being made with ‘aero bar’ concrete, a damning report warns.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, builders made extensive use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) to build the likes of hospitals and schools.

Over the last year there have been warnings about the risk of crumbling ceilings and the catastrophic consequences it could have.

Now, a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed 41 hospitals contain the material, including seven with RAAC ‘present throughout’.

The material is structurally weaker than traditional concrete and has previously been likened to a ‘chocolate Aero bar’, with an expected lifespan of 30 years.

Another hospital affected is Airedale in West Yorkshire, pictured

The report reads: ‘In recent years, the NHS has become aware of a serious issue with its buildings constructed from lightweight RAAC.

‘A number of hospitals still in operation today contain RAAC, including seven which have the material throughout.

‘Since the late 1990s it has become increasingly apparent that the material can become structurally unsound.’ 

Hospitals affected include Airedale in West Yorkshire, Queen Elizabeth King’s Lynn in Norfolk, Hinchingbrooke in Cambridgeshire, Mid Cheshire Leighton in Cheshire and Frimley Park in Surrey.

The two worst affected include West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds and James Paget Hospital in Norfolk.

The West Suffolk Hospital has already been forced to install 27 metal supports under RAAC planks to make it safe.

Leaked documents also revealed the hospital hired a law firm to produce a report into the risk of ‘corporate manslaughter’ charges should a fatal roof collapse happen.

The government has pledged to remove RAAC from the NHS estate by 2035, and has allocated £685 million to mitigate safety risks in the buildings over the next few years.

The rebuilding of these hospitals has been prioritised as part of the government’s ambition to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.

The report says, as a result of this prioritisation, eight hospitals that were originally due to be constructed towards the end of the decade will now be completed after the deadline.

Another hospital affected is Frimley Park in Surrey

The DHSC confirmed all seven RAAC hospitals have been prioritised due to their ‘urgent need of repair and risk they pose to patient and staff safety.’ The department added they are ‘aiming to get spades in ground’ by 2025 to 2027.

Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: ‘It’s a calamity that several hospitals have serious concerns about the safety of their structure.

‘This Government has serious questions to answer about how we got here, but first and foremost, they need to take action to ensure patient safety.’ On the issue of hospitals severely affected by RAAC, health secretary Steve Barclay has previously said: ‘These…hospitals are in pressing need of repair and are being prioritised so patients and staff can benefit from major new hospital buildings, equipped with the latest technology.’