Modular Hospital Ward by Portakabin Experiences Further Delay Following Safety Review

Health officials have acknowledged that the opening date for a new hospital ward, constructed from modular buildings provided by Portakabin, remains unknown following previous delays. This 30-bed facility, situated at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and intended for patients undergoing knee and hip operations, was mostly completed last year. Nevertheless, a safety assessment identified issues related to ventilation, fire safety, and potential flooding, leading to the suspension of the project. A technical resolution for these concerns is still awaiting approval, and NHS Forth Valley has stated that it cannot specify an opening date for the ward until this process is complete. The ward was initially scheduled to commence operations at the hospital in Larbert in 2022, forming part of a new National Treatment Centre (NTC) designed to expand surgical capacity. However, construction did not begin until 2022, and the initiative has since encountered additional postponements. In the previous year, NHS Assure, the construction oversight body, stated it could not endorse the ward project’s progression without modifications. Their inspectors identified two significant and 19 major deficiencies within the project, encompassing insufficient detail in the fire strategy, non-compliance with specific NHS guidance, and a lack of comprehensive information on pre-commissioning checks. NHS Assure – an entity established to monitor the quality, safety, and operation of health board construction projects – concluded that if these issues remained unaddressed, they could “potentially compromise the safety of patients and staff”. New healthcare facilities are prohibited from opening to the public without a satisfactory review from NHS Assure. In contrast, two additional operating theatres and an MRI scanner, aimed at increasing surgical and diagnostic capacity, have been installed at Forth Valley Royal Hospital as part of the NTC project and are already operational. A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley commented: “Over the last few months, work has been undertaken with the contractor and NHS Assure to address the remaining outstanding technical issues relating to the pipework and fire compliance regulations. A potential solution has been submitted to building control for review and we are currently awaiting feedback.” She added: “Once a solution has been approved and agreed by all parties, a detailed workplan will be developed to take forward the required changes along with a timetable for the completion of this work.” The spokeswoman further indicated that provisions are in place to support the delivery of additional orthopaedic activity for patients from other NHS boards until the new inpatient ward becomes operational. NHS Forth Valley confirmed that the project’s capital expenditure remains within its original estimated budget of approximately £10m.