Hospitals RAAC: Sheffield's major hospitals release statement on 'crumbly concrete' in city buildings

The NHS trust behind Sheffield's major hospitals has confirmed "none" of its buildings in the city are made using 'risky' RAAC.

Concern is mounting over the presence of an 'unsafe' type of concrete in public buildings. Already, at least 104 schools have had to shut immediately to prevent risk to children in the new term.

Meanwhile, at least five hospitals across England has so far confirmed they are in part built with the problem material, known as reinforced autoclave aerated concrete.

Now, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - responsible for both Northern General Hospital and Royal Hallamshire Hospital - has confirmed none of its buildings in the city are made with RAAC.

It comes after leader of the Liberal Democrats in Sheffield, Shaffaq Mohammed, today told The Star a "bigger issue" is at hand of public buildings other than schools made with RAAC in use without anyone knowing.

He said: "At the moment there's a lot of interest on the schools - there's but there's a bigger issue on if there are any other public buildings that have this concrete.

"Are we absolutely certain there no more buildings, public or private, at risk?

"Are we back to the issues around planning from before Grenfell? When there were months of uncertainty for people living in their buildings unsure if they were safe due to questions around cladding?

"I think we would like the Government to learn the lessons of Grenfell, confront the issue, and not to have a repeat of that scandal."

The Star has made enquiries with several public venues in Sheffield - including the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, Meadowhall, and hospitals - about the presence of the 'crumbly' material.

The NHS' progress in replacing RAAC in its buildings is years ahead what has been seen in schools. Before the issue broke nationally over the weekend, two hospitals - West Suffolk Hospital and James Paget University Hospital - were rebuilt to remove RAAC.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "The NHS has a mitigation plan in place for hospital buildings with confirmed RAAC, backed with significant additional funding of £698m from 2021 to 2025, for trusts to put in place necessary remediation and failsafe measures.

"We remain committed to eradicating RAAC from the NHS estate entirely by 2035.

"The technical advice received from the NHS is that the current approach to monitoring and mitigation remains appropriate.”