Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Deferred
Insisting on unproven Hospital 2.0 designs for urgent RAAC hospital rebuilds by 2030 is questionable.
Conclusion
Among DHSC’s other commitments, the need to rebuild the seven RAAC hospitals by 2030 is particularly pressing. RAAC hospitals are costing taxpayers a lot of money as remedial measures are taken to keep them safe and open.24 In this context, insisting on using Hospital 2.0 designs for all seven schemes seems questionable. The seriousness of the RAAC issue and the need to complete these rebuilds by 2030 creates a strong case for procuring and constructing the seven hospitals under traditional methods, even if that would mean not complying fully with the as yet incomplete Hospital 2.0 design.25
Government Response Summary
The government is examining the possibility of progressing a small number of schemes, including RAAC hospitals, using traditional design and contracting methods, with decisions expected by summer 2024, while also intending to test Hospital 2.0 within RAAC schemes.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The NHP is currently examining the possibility of progressing a small number of schemes using existing approaches to both hospital design and methods of contracting, to deliver benefits to patients quickly and reduce backloading of the programme. Should this approach be progressed, schemes will be chosen based on criteria agreed with Ministers, and final decisions will be made alongside consideration of the NHP Programme Business Case by summer 2024. The government agrees that NHP should test Hospital 2.0, its standardised approach to building hospitals, and intends to do so at the earliest opportunity within one of the RAAC schemes, given the importance of prioritising these to protect patient and staff safety. However, construction is unlikely to start in 2024. The department supports construction on the replacements for the seven entirely RAAC hospitals as a priority, and at a minimum, we aim to begin early works to prepare sites by the end of 2025. The existing hospitals will remain open and safe due to ongoing monitoring and mitigation of existing RAAC, in line with current evidence and recommendations from the Institution of Structural Engineers.