The government removes RAAC concrete from seven additional NHS hospitals, accelerating the nationwide safety programme to protect patients and staff
The UK government has removed RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) from seven more NHS hospitals, intensifying a nationwide effort to secure patient and staff safety. This move, part of a broader safety overhaul supported by £440 million in funding, comes as concerns grow over the structural integrity of older hospital buildings. With 12 additional hospitals set for clearance by March 2026, the programme marks a decisive step in safeguarding the NHS estate.
What is RAAC, and why can it be dangerous for NHS hospitals?
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight material that was primarily used in flat roofing between the 1950s and 1990s. It is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete and is aerated. However, it only has a lifespan of around 30 years.
Due to its design, the material is susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture, and the aerated feature allows water to penetrate the material. When this occurs, the RAAC decays, rusts, and weakens. This proves problematic for NHS buildings, as many feature RAAC, compromising the safety of patients and staff.
NHS buildings are crumbling
The UK Government has confirmed that a further seven NHS buildings have successfully removed RAAC, with an additional 12 set to be completed by the end of March 2026.
The project is backed by up to £440 million this year, to upgrade the NHS estate by removing hazardous building materials.
This follows the government’s pledge to eliminate RAAC from the NHS estate by 2025.
Minister for Elective Care Karin Smyth said:
“Our nation’s hospitals have been starved of investment and left to crumble for more than a decade. Patients and staff deserve safe, modern hospitals and an NHS they can rely on. Today’s progress means thousands more people can walk into NHS hospitals with confidence, knowing this government is putting safety first.
Thanks to the record investment this government is providing, we are cleaning up the mess we inherited, ripping out potentially dangerous concrete and rebuilding our NHS.”
What hospitals have RAAC?
The seven hospitals where RAAC has now been eradicated are:
- Kidderminster Hospital, Kidderminster
- Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
- Homerton University Hospital, London
- Scunthorpe General, Scunthorpe
- Churchill Hospital, Oxford
- Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead
- New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton
The 12 further hospitals set to be completed by the end of the financial year are:
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Royal Blackburn Hospital, Lancashire
- Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester
- St Mary’s Community Hospital, Portsmouth
- Guildford Hospital, Guildford
- Royal United Hospital, Bath
- Rowley Regis Hospital, West Midlands
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston
- Clatterbridge Hospital, Liverpool
- Leigh Infirmary, Wigan
- North Devon District Hospital, Barnstable
- Stamford and Rutland Hospital, Stamford
Simon Corben, Director of Estates at NHS England, said
“Keeping patients and staff safe is always our top priority, and we have been working closely with trusts to manage RAAC safely and ensure the continuation of services while this essential work is taking place.
The completion of these latest projects is a positive step, giving staff confidence that they can continue delivering care in safe environments – and we will keep working with trusts to complete the programme across the NHS estate at pace.”
