Over £65 million needed for urgent repairs to West Suffolk Hospital
The amount needed is the seventh highest for any hospital in the country
NHS data shows that well over £65 million is needed to carry out urgent repair work for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust Hospital.
The amount of funding needed was the seventh highest for any hospital in the country - staff tell us they've taken on masses of remedial works and the safety of everyone there is their top priority
English trusts with the largest high-risk repairs backlog (general acute hospitals only):
"If an issue is found, remedial and mitigating work is undertaken immediately"
We reached out to WSNFT for comment on these findings.
Craig Black, executive director of resources for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The safety of patients, staff, and visitors is our priority and we have always followed expert, independent advice when it comes to the management of our buildings.
“Due to our ageing estate and the prevalence of RAAC across much of our West Suffolk Hospital site, we have undertaken a large programme of remedial works to support our RAAC infrastructure and made improvements in areas that include asbestos, ventilation and fire safety.
“As part of these works, which are well advanced and sit alongside general maintenance, we continually address areas of ongoing concern and do so as and when further risks are identified.
“In addition, we are a ‘priority site’ under the Government’s New Hospital Programme and are on track to deliver a new healthcare facility on Hardwick Manor in Bury St Edmunds by 2030.”
Safety measures currently in place
The Trust commented that they currently have safety measures in place for the hospital regarding these issues and they are addressing them as soon as the are discovered.
For example, they tell us as of December 2023, 88% of RAAC roof planks have precautionary supports in place, with the majority of these being failsafe roof supports of steel and timber beams.
What's the Government said on this?
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“We have invested significant sums to upgrade and modernise NHS buildings – including £4.2 billion this financial year – so staff have the facilities needed to provide world-class care for patients.
“Trusts are responsible for prioritising this funding to maintain and refurbish their premises, including the renewal and replacement of equipment.
“This is on top of the expected investment of over £20 billion for the New Hospital Programme, a further £1.7 billion for over 70 hospital upgrades across England, and a range of nationally funded infrastructure improvements in mental health, urgent and emergency care and diagnostic capacity.”