Probe into 'asbestos exposure' at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Remodelling work was being carried out at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in 2012

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says it is investigating whether workmen were exposed to asbestos at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Former hospital project manager, Les Small, told senior bosses in 2012 he believed asbestos panels had been damaged during construction work.

But he was dismissed following the disclosure, although an employment tribunal later found in his favour.

The hospital trust said it was co-operating fully with the investigation.

Mr Small was a capital projects manager at the hospital while staff residential units were being converted to offices in 2012.

He said he told his line managers he believed damaged materials around some pipes was asbestos.

Possible exposure

But about a month later when he raised the issue again and questioned why nothing had been done, he was dismissed.

A tribunal later ruled he had been unfairly dismissed, stating he had been sacked as a result of making a public interest disclosure.

Mr Small, from Wellington in Telford, said between three to four weeks elapsed from when he reported his concerns to the work on the unit stopping.

"I don't know how many people could have been exposed," he said.

"All I know is there were people going in and out.

"Not only were they exposing themselves to asbestos whilst in the flat, there were no washing facilities, no changing facilities.

"Every time they left the flats...there was every chance there was asbestos fibres on clothing."

Julia Clarke, director of corporate governance at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: "We are co-operating fully with the Health and Safety Executive, but it would be inappropriate for us to comment further until their investigation has been completed."