Haverfordwest: Withybush Hospital wards shut by Raac reopen

A lightweight concrete used from the 1960s to the 1990s was found in the building

Six Withybush Hospital wards afflicted by crumbling concrete have all now reopened after being shut down.

Half the Haverfordwest hospital's 12 wards were closed because of Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) last year.

Parts of the ground floor and kitchen, including outpatients and clinic rooms were also closed.

The Hywel Dda health board declared a major incident in August 2023 to identify the size of the problem.

Wards seven, nine and 12 at the Pembrokeshire hospital were opened at Christmas, with 11 following in January, while 10 re-opened this month.

Work ended on ward eight - the last to re-open - last week.

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The board said there was still extensive work to be done on the ground floor including in two outpatient departments and the physiotherapy department.

Currently they are in use but supported with props to make them safe.

Metal props supported the ceiling in parts of the hospital

Repair work will continue through the year.

Monitoring Raac is also likely to cause disruption.

Hywel Dda health board operations director Andrew Carrurthers said: "This has been a challenging time for staff who have had to adapt very quickly to a fast-changing situation.

"This is on top of a difficult winter which has seen emergency departments at all our hospitals having to cope under enormous pressures."

Mr Carrurthers said the hospital's declared major incident ended in January, but survey and repair work will continue until Spring 2025.

"There is some way to go before Withybush Hospital returns to a normal service," Mr Carruthers added.

Raac has also been found in Bronglais Hospital, in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.