Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Acknowledged
Trusts primarily responsible for RAAC risk management, despite some national technical support.
Conclusion
We asked whether NHS trusts were getting adequate help from national bodies given the risks they had to manage. NHS England told use that it was helping trusts to source the right technical support, but trusts themselves were responsible for managing their estate and the risks within it.55 Trusts were already expected to complete a full survey of their estate every five years.56
Government Response Summary
The government, despite stating 'recommendation implemented', broadly outlines ongoing work with NHS Trusts to expedite RAAC surveys and publish information. It doesn't specifically address the committee's observation on the adequacy of help provided to trusts, beyond implying continued support through existing work.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 The NHS has been at the forefront of the public sector response to RAAC and has been surveying sites since 2019. The department will continue to work with NHS Trusts to expedite surveys where possible RAAC is identified. While publishing surveys in full will not be possible due to the commercially sensitive information contained within, the government commits to continuing to publish and update information on confirmed RAAC within the NHS on Gov.uk. 3.3 The department will continue to keep the commitment to eradicate RAAC from the NHS estate by 2035 under review. Significant RAAC eradication will occur before 2035, including the work to rebuild the seven hospitals most affected by RAAC as part of the NHP. 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. 3.4 The department regularly assesses the financial implications of increased RAAC identification. Work is on-going with Trusts where RAAC has been recently identified to assess the financial and clinical implications of eradicating RAAC from these sites. The funding needs for RAAC mitigation and eradication beyond 2024-25 will inform the department’s bids at subsequent Spending Reviews and future budgets. 3.5 The department will write to the Committee with an assessment of the scale of RAAC in other parts of the health and social care system, noting there is no obligation for private owners to report the presence of RAAC to the department. The letter will include the name of the senior NHSE official responsible for its plan on RAAC.