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.
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 These outdated structures may be at risk of falling apart.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.
CONTINUE READING...
Enjoy unlimited access now.
To get full access to this article,
simply become a member of PUBLIC SQUARE now.
By doing so, you will be supporting
our independent journalism.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
£3/month ∙ £5/month ∙ £7/month
You can cancel anytime.
BECOME A MEMBER
Already a member? Sign in here!
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:
✅ Read exclusive member-only articles
✅ Read our daily review of the UK front pages
✅ Receive every new article by email
✅ Access all our articles
✅ Get Special Discounts with our partners
✅ Join the conversation: Comment our articles
✅ Access our archives
✅ More importantly: Support independent journalism and keep the magazine going
Read more
— Donald Trump’s economic policies on tariffs, immigration, and tax cuts could unintentionally reignite inflation, economists warn, despite initial success in curbing it. These measures risk raising prices and fuelling economic strain.
— The UK government’s 2025 tuition fee hike to £9,535 annually may worsen graduates’ mental health, with recent research linking higher fees to increased depression, anxiety, and financial strain decades post-graduation.
— An evangelical religious movement views Donald Trump as a divinely chosen leader fighting against perceived demonic forces in America. Mainstream Christian groups criticise this stance, warning that it risks polarising faith and politics.
— Donald Trump’s re-election signals potential setbacks for global climate ambitions, yet some experts believe the momentum towards renewables and the green economy will persist, challenging Trump’s fossil fuel focus.
|