PM pledges to fix hospital's crumbling concrete

The Prime Minister has promised that crumbling concrete at a hospital will be repaired following concerns over its impact on maternity services.

Sir Keir Starmer made the commitment in response to a question from Rosie Wrighting, the Labour MP for Kettering, about the maternity ward at Kettering General Hospital during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered in the roof of the hospital's Rockingham Wing in 2023, forcing maternity services to be relocated.

Sir Keir said: "I can reassure [Wrighting] that the Raac identified at Kettering General is being mitigated and is being replaced through the national Raac programme."

Raac, which was widely used in the construction of public buildings from the 1950s to 1990s, has exceeded its lifespan, which has led to the closure of schools and hospitals across the UK.

Ms Wrighting said: "[Kettering General's maternity unit is] partially closed because of Raac and, after giving birth, mothers are transported outside through the car park to receive postnatal care."

On Monday the government announced delays to several hospital building projects, including Kettering General Hospital.

Laura Churchward, the chief executive of University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, said the government's decision to postpone work until 2029/2030 was "disappointing".

Ms Churchward added: "This delay poses a significant challenge to our plans and the delivery of much-needed improvements for the patients and communities we serve.

"We will continue to build our new Energy Centre by 2027, driving forward the transformation that our hospital needs along with moving ahead on our plans to address the Raac concrete in our Women's and Children's Unit."

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