Crumbling concrete found at Castle Hill hospital

The closure is causing disruption to staff training, a hospital spokesperson said

Part of Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham has been closed after the discovery of potentially dangerous concrete in some walls.

In a statement, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said Suite 22 at the hospital had been closed indefinitely while further assessment work was undertaken.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight material which is less durable than standard concrete.

The statement said the area affected was not one where patients were treated.

Raac was predominantly used between the 1950s and 1990s.

It was a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, quicker to produce and easier to install.

The Health and Safety Executive has said Raac is now beyond its lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice".

'Notable disruption'

A spokesperson for the trust said: “Suite 22 is not an area where direct clinical care or services are provided to patients.

"The closure has resulted in notable disruption to staff training and development on the hospital site.

“We would like to thank members of the Learning and Development Team who are working hard to relocate existing training courses to ensure important educational and professional development activity can continue,” the spoksperson added.

In December the government published a list of 231 schools and colleges across England it said were affected by the issue.

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