Plans to replace hospital's unsafe concrete roof

Parts of the hospital were closed last year following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete

Plans to replace an area of potentially dangerous concrete roofing at Scunthorpe General Hospital have been submitted, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Parts of the hospital, including the cardiology department, were closed last year following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

It led to a temporary relocation of the department.

The application by the hospital trust to remove the Raac from the unit and replace it with a metal deck roof has been submitted to North Lincolnshire Council.

In October 2023, the Department of Health confirmed that Raac had been found at 42 hospitals across the country, including Scunthorpe.

At the time, NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said the concrete "puts patients and staff at risk".

Other areas of Scunthorpe Hospital affected included the physiotherapy gym, but work to rectify it was completed earlier this year.

What is Raac?

Raac is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s.

It is aerated, or "bubbly", like an Aero chocolate bar.

Although a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, it is less durable and has a lifespan of about 30 years.

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