West Suffolk Hospital looks to reassure patients amid crumbling concrete crisis
The hospital contains a significant amount of RAAC in both the walls and roof
While the focus is now on schools - West Suffolk Hospital has been setting out what it's done to keep patients safe from crumbling concrete on its site in Bury St Edmunds.
The hospital contains a significant amount of RAAC in both the walls and roof of its main buildings.
The trust says around 80% of its roof planks have been strengthened, with almost all of the RAAC walls on site treated with a substance designed to help them last for longer.
The site is set to be fully replaced by 2030.
The full statement
Dr Ewen Cameron is CEO of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
In a statement, he told us: "Our highest priority has always, and will always be, the safety of our patients, staff and visitors.
"As such, over the last few years we have been carrying out an extensive and robust estates maintenance programme.
"This includes the installation of ‘end bearing extensions’ and ‘failsafe supports’ to mitigate the risk of a failing roof RAAC plank.
"Additionally, zinc anodes have been inserted into RAAC walls to prevent further deterioration.
"Due to our swift response, 82% of our roof planks have ‘end bearing extensions’ or ‘failsafe support’ in place and 96% of our walls have been treated.
"The completion of these works will ensure that the West Suffolk Hospital site remains a safe building for you, our staff and our visitors until we move into the new hospital by 2030.
"In addition to these estates works, we also carried out a rolling programme of continuous monitoring and assessing, including the use of radar equipment and other industry approved tests and increased surveillance on the site until we are ready to move into our new hospital.
"All the way through this programme, we have sought advice from experienced structural engineers and experts to support our inspection and maintenance work. We have always followed this expert advice when dealing with this issue.
"Therefore, whilst we must acknowledge that our West Suffolk Hospital state is ageing, I would like to reassure you that our building is safe and you should feel confident to continue to attend your appointments, procedures or visiting as normal."