Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Crumbling concrete puts 2 million hospital patients at risk: UK

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Telegraph
  • 8 Sep 2023 14:11
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Figures from the Liberal Democrats indicate that seven hospitals, with a workforce of 43,000 NHS staff, are impacted by RAAC, as per The Telegraph.

  • x
  • St George's Hospital in south London (AFP via Getty Images)
    St. George's Hospital in south London (AFP via Getty Images)

Data have revealed that approximately two million patients and 43,000 NHS staff are facing risks due to deteriorating concrete conditions in hospital buildings, The Telegraph reported.

According to information from the Liberal Democrats, seven hospitals, including four with widespread issues of crumbling reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), cater to a total of 1.94 million people in various communities. Among the hospital staff are 5,000 doctors, 11,500 nurses, and midwives, all working in environments that NHS leaders labeled as posing "a major risk to patient and staff safety."

The situation became more urgent when Julian Kelly, the NHS chief financial officer, informed the public accounts committee that tens of additional hospital sites were affected by RAAC, surpassing the initial estimate. He mentioned ongoing efforts to conduct comprehensive surveys, clarifying that not all cases involved patient areas.

Ongoing challenges

In response, the NHS contacted hospital administrators, urging them to identify all RAAC presence on their sites and carry out thorough assessments. A prior report from the National Audit Office had already identified 41 hospital buildings in England with lightweight concrete concerns.

Among the repercussions Kelly highlighted are hospitals having to close units, relocate patients to other spaces, and experience theater losses due to concrete issues.

Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, expressed that monitoring and managing RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) is a burdening task for local healthcare teams. She emphasized that even with enhanced monitoring, it cannot entirely eliminate the risks associated with RAAC. Hence, the eradication plan remains crucial.

As per the existing schedule, all RAAC in hospitals will be removed by 2035. Additionally, the seven hospitals where RAAC is widespread throughout their structures will undergo reconstruction by 2030.

Miriam Deakin, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, expressed serious concern about the continuous closure of patient units and theaters due to deteriorating facilities and fire hazards. She noted that hospital leaders had consistently alerted authorities about the significant safety risks posed by RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) to patients, staff, and healthcare services. Deakin also suggested that additional cases of RAAC-related issues might still emerge. 

Read next: Report finds UK population has worst health in Europe

A national scandal 

Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for urgent funding to address the hospitals at risk of structural issues. He characterized the situation as a "national scandal" and emphasized that healthcare staff should not have to work in unsafe conditions under the threat of structural problems.

In response, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care dismissed the claims as "misleading".

It is worth noting that a YouGov poll revealed that two-thirds of the population believe that the government is managing the deteriorating concrete issue poorly, while a third deemed the handling "very poor". Among the 2,600 adults surveyed, only two percent believed the government was handling the crisis "very effectively".

Read more: NHS' 7.2-million waiting list leaves patients 'helpless, forgotten'

  • RAAC
  • NHS
  • Healthcare
  • hospita
  • UK
  • patients

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS