RAAC in Hospitals 2023-10-17
2023-10-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
MP Ian Lavery is concerned about hospitals with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). He highlights a specific concern regarding the impact of asbestos in RAAC-affected hospitals.
What steps his Department is taking to remediate hospital buildings with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Can the Secretary of State tell the House how many of the hospitals where RAAC is an issue also have issues with asbestos being present? What assessment has his Department made of the impact should asbestos spores be released in a RAAC collapse?
We are prioritising the seven worst-affected hospitals and have a fund of just under £700 million covering the four-year programme of replacement. The hon. Member raises an interesting point about asbestos, because much of the NHS estate dates from a time when asbestos was widely used. It is a similar issue with RAAC; we are following guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers and monitoring it. Where there is deterioration, we have a fund to tackle that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The number of hospitals affected by both RAAC and asbestos was not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Haywood walk-in centre in Stoke-on-Trent North has received £26.5 million for a new build out-patient building to address RAAC issues.
Can the Secretary of State commit to visiting the Haywood walk-in centre, which has just received £26.5 million for a new out-patient building, to show off this fantastic progress?
It is always a pleasure to visit my hon. Friend's constituency. The national programme is working, backed with £700 million of funding for RAAC mitigation where required. We are closely monitoring the estate and taking necessary actions.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to a visit specifically.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The number of hospital beds has fallen by almost 3,000 since ministers promised to increase them.
Not only are the hospital buildings crumbling after 13 years of neglect; it seems that those still standing do not have enough beds. With a reduction of nearly 3,000 beds since ministers' promises, is this another broken promise?
First, we have got more than £1 billion of investment in an additional 5,000 permanent beds going into the NHS estate. We are committed to the biggest ever investment in the NHS estate backed with over £20 billion. Labour bequeathed expensive private finance initiative deals that many trusts are still paying for.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address whether the decrease in beds was a broken promise or provide specifics on addressing the current shortfall.
Blaming Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the safety of RAAC in hospitals.
What steps his Department is taking to remediate hospital buildings with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Can the Secretary of State tell the House how many of the hospitals where RAAC is an issue also have issues with asbestos being present? What assessment has his Department made of the impact should asbestos spores be released in a RAAC collapse?
We are prioritising the seven worst-affected hospitals and have a fund of just under £700 million covering the four-year programme of replacement. The hon. Member raises an interesting point about asbestos, because much of the NHS estate dates from a time when asbestos was widely used. Of course, asbestos is considered safe if it is undisturbed.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The number of hospitals affected by both RAAC and asbestos was not provided.
Response accuracy