Community hospital to close after engineers brought in following discovery of dangerous concrete flagged issue with roof
Last updated 30th Jan 2025
NHS Borders has announced it's closing the Knoll Community Hospital, and neighbouring medical practice, in Duns.
It comes after a survey by structural engineers brought in following the discovery of RAAC - a dangerous concrete which is prone to collapse - flagged "an issue with the roof construction", which requires urgent action.
Staff and patients are being moved to alternative sites to allow remedial works to be carried out.
The health board says it's just a temporary measure.
But it's unknown when the work will start or how long it will take.
Chief Officer Chris Myers said: “We recognise that this information will come as a shock to staff, patients and everyone who uses the services provided from the Knoll Hospital and Health Centre, including patients from both GP Practices.
“We are working at pace to identify alternative locations from which services will be provided whilst the remedial works are undertaken.
"As soon as we are in a position to confirm these details they will be communicated directly to people affected and made available in the public domain on NHS Borders website."
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No clinics, appointments or inpatient care will be provided from the premises whilst the works are undertaken.
The health board says "the decant of the site, including Knoll Community Hospital, Health Centre, Duns Medical Group and Merse Medical Practice will be undertaken as quickly as we safely can", adding the safety of staff and patients is paramount.
But a spokesperson reassured residents: "NHS Borders is committed to undertaking these works and are clear at this point that the relevant work will be commissioned to return the Knoll Community Hospital and Health Centre to a fully functioning facility."
In 2023, it was widely reported that the presence of RAAC was likely in properties across the NHS Scotland estate.
Initial surveys found four healthcare facilities in the Borders were affected - the Knoll Hospital, Knoll Health Centre, Jedburgh Health Centre and Kelso Hospital.
The expert surveyors advised that there was no evidence at that stage of concrete being in poor condition resulting in an immediate risk, and therefore no critical or immediate actions were required in any of the sites.
However, last year, NHS Borders commissioned in-depth surveys to be carried out at the sites where the presence of RAAC had been identified.
And, on Monday this week, it was advised of an issue with the roof construction at the Knoll which requires remedial action “as soon as possible”.
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While a similar survey of the community hospital in Kelso is still being finalised, NHS Borders says there is no indication of any immediate risk at that site; while the phase two survey of Jedburgh Health Centre has not yet commenced.
Commenting on the issues at Duns, Mr Myers said: “There is inevitably going to be a period of disruption which we will of course work to minimise as far as possible.
"I ask for patience whilst we work through the detail; and to enable our staff and partners to focus on the tasks in hand I respectfully ask that people are not drawn into unfounded speculation.
"This is a temporary closure to the Knoll and we are committed to undertaking these works. We are clear at this point that the relevant work will be commissioned with a view to returning the Knoll Community Hospital and Health Centre to a fully functioning facility.
“Although tempting, please do not contact the Knoll Hospital or GP Practice staff to ask about interim arrangements. If you are directly affected with forthcoming appointments etc you will be contacted directly in due course."
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