CRUMBLING Airedale Hospital is one of seven “structurally unsound” hospitals in the country and will cost up to £1.5 billion to replace, a new report has revealed.

Built in the late 1960s, Airedale Hospital in Steeton was largely constructed using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, known as RAAC.

Structural engineers have long advised that the hospital should be replaced as soon as possible, given the material has an expected lifespan of 30 years.

In May the Government announced that Airedale, along with four other hospitals containing RAAC, had been added to its New Hospital Programme, as part of a £20 billion investment in hospital infrastructure.

A report by the National Audit Office now reveals that there are a total of seven hospitals with the material throughout – and they are all being replaced through the programme.

It also reveals that while no full business cases have been approved for the latest RAAC hospital rebuilds, estimated costs suggest a band of £500 million to £1.5 billion each.

It states: “In recent years, the NHS has become aware of a serious issue with its buildings constructed from lightweight RAAC.

“Builders made extensive use of RAAC between the 1960s and the 1980s for roofs and walls as a cheap material that could be pre-cast offsite.

“A number of hospitals still in operation today contain RAAC, including seven which have the material throughout.

“Since the late 1990s, it has become increasingly apparent that the material can become structurally unsound.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Airedale Hospital in SteetonAiredale Hospital in Steeton

The rebuilding of these hospitals has been prioritised as part of the Government's New Hospital Programme, which includes an ambition to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.

The report adds: “Seven entire NHS hospitals and parts of several others are known to be structurally unsound and urgently need replacement.

“A school roof collapse led to a national alert in 2019 about the risk of sudden failure and NHS England asked trusts to survey their estate for RAAC.

“Surveys found 41 buildings at 23 trusts containing the material, including seven hospitals with RAAC present throughout.

“The Government has committed to eradicate RAAC from the NHS estate by 2035 and allocated £685 million over five years up to 2024-25 to mitigate immediate safety risks.”

One of the worst affected hospitals with RAAC throughout is West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds.

The report details how installing temporary safety measures there will cost £65 million in total.