Overview:

Work began in late 2023 to survey all NHS buildings in Scotland which may potentially contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete used mainly in roof, floor, and wall construction in the UK during the second half of the 20th century. It has been found in a range of buildings, both in the public and private sector. 

A number of buildings within our Estate were identified as potentially containing RAAC and this information to reported to NHS Assure. This initial list was based primarily on when the buildings – or parts of buildings – were built. Since then more detailed surveys have been carried out on NHS Fife’s buildings.

Background

A SCOSS (Standing Committee on Structural Safety) Alert of May 2019 regarding the failure of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) planks raised concerns across the public sector about the presence of such material in buildings after a flat roof collapse in a school in England late 2018.

Thereafter, work was undertaken to identify the extent of possible high-risk properties within the NHS Fife portfolio. These were noted specifically as those properties which fell within a possible construction period between the 1960’s and 1990’s. Buildings out with this period are unlikely to be affected.

What is RAAC?

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight, ‘bubbly’ form of concrete commonly used in construction between the 1950s and mid-1990s. It is predominantly found as precast panels in roofs (commonly flat roofs, sometimes pitched) and occasionally in floors and walls.

RAAC differs from normal concrete in that it contains no coarse aggregate and was manufactured using fine aggregates with chemical additives to create gas bubbles and heated to cure the compound. It is relatively weak with a low bond capacity with reinforcement. When reinforced (RAAC) protection of the reinforcement against corrosion was provided by a bituminous or a cement latex coating applied to the reinforcement prior to casting.

NHS Scotland Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Survey Programme

NHS Scotland Assure (part of NHS National Services Scotland) are co-ordinating a programme of work to carry out detailed surveys of all properties across the NHS estate that were initially identified as potentially containing RAAC. A list of all buildings being surveyed in Scotland has been published on the NHS National Service Scotland website.

This process is being carried out across Scotland. The results of these surveys will provide information on whether RAAC is present and whether any remedial action is needed.

Progress of NHS Scotland RAAC Survey Programme in Fife

The process of surveying the identified buildings began in late 2023 and has recently concluded in Fife. Of the 29 blocks in the NHS Fife estate initially identified as potentially containing RAAC, surveys found the material in a total of seven areas. Where RAAC has been identified, it has been found to be present within parts of buildings and in some cases only specific areas within a particular block.

Of the seven blocks where RAAC has been discovered, four blocks are stable and require annual monitoring to ensure no deterioration of the material. These are listed below:-

  • Lynebank Hospital - Tay View and Ward 12 Offices
  • Queen Margaret Hospital - Phase 1 Main Block
  • Adamson Hospital - Tarvit Ward
  • Glenrothes Hospital - Glenrothes Main Block

In the remaining three areas, further investigation is required:-

  • Kirkcaldy Health Centre - Main Block
  • Lynebank Hospital - Psychology, Health Records and Health Storage
  • Lynebank Hospital - Main Building

Where required, appropriate mitigations, including reinforcements, have put in place as a precautionary measure.

Safety is our highest priority and there is no immediate risk to staff or patients in any of the areas listed above.

NHS Fife next steps

The monitoring of areas where RAAC has been identified has already began and be carried out as part of our ongoing maintenance programme. If in future areas are found to be deteriorating, further risk assessments and mitigations will be carried out in conjunction with the local staff. It has not been necessary to relocate any staff or patients to date.

Scottish Government is in the process of developing guidance and are looking at a framework to provide external support for monitoring those buildings which contain RAAC.

Keeping you informed

Regular updates will be shared on this dedicated NHS Fife web page and via NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). This will include;

  • Details of any measures being taken as a result of the surveys.
  • Outlining any expected disruption to services.
  • Contingency measures, and timelines.

Updates for staff will also be made available via StaffLink.