West Midlands Telford's Princess Royal Hospital has ceased kitchen and restaurant operations following the discovery of potentially hazardous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).
Concerns about Raac have led to the closure of 174 schools in England, as this material is less durable than conventional concrete.
The hospital trust emphasized safety as its top priority and has put in place alternative plans to ensure meals for patients and staff continue without interruption.
"We are collaborating closely with NHS England and adhering to expert guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers to safely manage Raac at PRH, including daily inspections by our Estates team," stated the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
What is Raac? New Raac schools list of buildings with unsafe concrete Five hospitals at risk of collapse to be rebuilt This is not the first instance of a hospital being affected by Raac; in May, Crewe's Leighton Hospital reported spending £55 million to date on shoring up its structures.
Raac, a lightweight material, has a limited lifespan and is prone to structural degradation when exposed to moisture. Additional concerns about its limited durability emerged earlier this month, just before the start of the new school term. Photo by Row17, Wikimedia commons.