NHS hospitals on high alert: Prepare for possible evacuation if structural integrity is compromised

NHS England has issued directives to hospitals, advising them to remain prepared for potential evacuations should their structures become compromised because of Raac.

E ngland’s NHS hospitals have been told to be ready for evacuations due to concerns about the safety of buildings made with a specific type of concrete known as Raac. These outdated structures may be at risk of falling apart. The notice, which comes after similar warnings to schools, has sparked a debate about the safety of public buildings.

The NHS has sent out an urgent message to hospitals across England: be prepared to move both staff and patients if there’s a risk of a building collapsing because of a specific type of concrete called Raac, previously popular in construction but now showing its age.

Why the alarm bell is ringing

The NHS England authorities sent the alert in the form of a letter to all 224 health trusts. Dr Mike Prentice, responsible for emergency planning, and Jacqui Rock, the chief commercial officer, signed it. They’ve urged all trusts to familiarise themselves with evacuation plans, especially those with a high number of buildings made from Raac concrete.

The letter was not just sent to health trust executives. It was also dispatched to 42 integrated care boards, including local councils and NHS trusts. This makes it a concern that extends beyond the healthcare sector and involves regional governance.