Haverfordwest’s Withybush Hospital declares major incident after concern’s over building’s concrete structure

Hywel Dda University Health Board has declared a major incident at Withybush Hospital as it looks to investigate the scale and impact of potentially defective Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) found in the hospital building.

RAAC is a material that was commonly used in the construction of buildings between the 1960s and 1990s. Its presence has been confirmed at Withybush Hospital and at a limited part of Bronglais Hospital. 

The health board says it is working with a Welsh Government approved external contractor to identify the scale of the issue – this involves surveying each of the RAAC planks on site. Where structural issues are identified, the extent of the remedial work is also being assessed.

To date, three wards in Withybush Hospital have closed due to the condition of the RAAC planks found, with the health board saying the situation being managed and patients relocated to other health board locations in Pembrokeshire. Hywel Dda say their intention is to manage as much of the relocation of patients within Pembrokeshire as possible.

A spokesperson for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “While best efforts are being made to conduct survey work as quickly as possible, the resulting findings of the survey work is, in some cases, requiring patients to be moved from wards to alternative locations and adapting services to reflect the availability of the site.

“As time progresses, this is likely to have an impact on other health board services at other sites as we move patients and services to alternate locations. Local mitigations are also being put in place, including structural props and temporary closure of impacted areas.

“Unless notified otherwise, patients should continue to attend their appointments and access services at Withybush Hospital as usual. However, this may be subject to change at short notice. Wherever possible, patients will be communicated with directly should a change be made to the service or clinic they are due to attend.

“We know that the survey work and remedial action can cause considerable disruption and concern amongst members of our community and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. The health board would like to thank hospital staff, patients and visitors for their patience and understanding over the coming months while we carry out this essential work.”

Local Senedd member, Welsh Conservative Paul Davies MS said: “It’s of critical importance that survey work is done quickly and I hope that Hywel Dda University Health Board is doing everything possible to make sure that happens.”

“The Welsh Government also has an important role to play in supporting the Health Board and ensuring it has the support and resources it needs to understand the scale of the problem – and to ensure remedial work takes place as quickly and safely as possible, so that patients can continue accessing services at Withybush hospital.”

“Given the seriousness of the situation and the impact it will have on the delivery of services in Pembrokeshire, I will be writing to the Health Minister to ensure the Welsh Government provides the Health Board with the support that it will need.”

“Remedial work needs to take place as soon as possible so that services continue at Withybush hospital.”

(Lead image: Hywel Dda NHS)