NHS Borders RAAC: SNP must end inaction on dangerous concrete

After all patients were moved out of a Borders community hospital following the reassessment of RAAC, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has urged the government to stop neglecting the issue and finally support health boards in dealing with the dangerous concrete.

In-depth surveys found that the roof of Knoll Community Hospital in Duns required repair work “as soon as possible”, despite an initial assessment that the RAAC present did not pose an “immediate risk”. The hospital closed last month, and all patients have now been moved out.

In a recent parliamentary question, Mr Cole-Hamilton asked whether the Scottish Government would be making money available to health boards to help remove or remediate RAAC. The Health Secretary stated that this would ‘have to be managed from existing budgets.’

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“Knoll Hospital is one of many healthcare buildings affected by RAAC, but the Scottish Government continues to be remarkably cavalier about the problem.

“My party's research has shown how the bill for RAAC repair work could be in the hundreds of millions, so it is completely unsustainable for the SNP to leave it in the hands of cash-strapped health boards and councils.

“That’s why the Scottish Government must finally listen to our calls and set up a national fund to remove RAAC from public buildings. Ministers should also put in place measures that will enable health boards and other public bodies to share relevant learning and recommendations about RAAC.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have been warning about RAAC for years, but the SNP’s response has been woeful. For the sake of patients, staff and communities, they need to get their act together fast.”