A Glasgow MSP has demanded answers on why it is set to take five years to replace cladding deemed to be unsafe at the city's largest hospital.
MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy has written to the Health Secretary to request he set out the risk associated with the current panelling which could aid the spread of rapid fire at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Scottish Fire and Rescue chiefs previously advised the health board that the material should be removed 'as soon as practicable' and replaced with wall lining materials that reduce fire risk.
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Work to remove the wall panels began on Monday with the project set to cost a total of £33 million. It's expected to be completed by 2027 with patients, visitors and staff braced for 'limited disruption'.
MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “My Glasgow constituents will be rightly astonished and angry that £33million of taxpayer's money is now having to be spent on something that should never have been necessary in the first place.
“The fire brigade has set out its view that the current panelling must be replaced as soon as possible with materials that reduce fire risk, yet patients and staff will have to wait five years for reassurance that this risk to their safety has been dealt with.
“I believe in the interest of transparency and public safety that the Scottish Government must urgently set out the full details of how serious a risk this been judged to be, and I have written to the Health Secretary Humza Yousaf MSP ask him to publish this information.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the project had undergone an 'extensive and robust process of planning' with the process of expediting the removal and replacement and minimising disruption within the atrium.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Assure National Fire Advisors are satisfied that the building is safe and will remain so throughout the work, and all bodies are content with the plans we have put in place.
Professor Tom Steele, Director of Estates and Facilities at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to patients, visitors and staff.
“As the atrium is the central access point for the hospital, there will inevitably be some disruption. However, we would like to reassure everybody who uses the QEUH that throughout the period of work we will continue to provide high-quality patient-centred care to our patients. There may be some changes to waiting areas, but all clinics and wards will remain open.
“We would like to thank patients, visitors and staff for their patience and understanding while this essential work is carried out.”
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry, Head of Prevention and Protection for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, added: “We regularly work with partners, including NHSGGC, to advise on fire safety matters and were sighted early on the fire risk relating to the panels used as wall lining within the atrium of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
“Our advice was to remove this material as soon as reasonably practicable and replace with wall lining materials that reduce the fire risk.
“We welcome the steps taken to achieve that, and the actions taken demonstrate that NHSGGC has implemented the appropriate steps to mitigate the risk until the removal work can be completed.
“Ultimately we are satisfied that the hospital can still safely operate and any risk to patients and the local community is low.”
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