Hull Royal Infirmary is facing an urgent order to remove illegal cladding from its main building, as it fails to comply with updated fire safety regulations. The insulation and cladding on the hospital's 13-storey tower block, which was compliant when installed in 2013 and 2014, now violates the Building Safety Act 2022 enacted after the catastrophic Grenfell fire.
The Humber Health Partnership, which manages the hospital, asserts that the structure remains safe, bolstered by an extensive fire safety infrastructure that includes 600 fire wardens and a top-tier fire alarm system. However, following a routine review that highlighted issues with the building's cladding, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service served an Enforcement Notice mandating immediate upgrades to ensure the safety of both employees and the facilities.
Tom Myers, the group director for estates and facilities, reported that during an early summer inspection, it became clear that the external cladding and insulation did not meet present standards. He emphasized that while the hospital operates at high safety levels, the need for changes is vital due to new legalities aimed at preventing fire hazards like those seen in the Grenfell tragedy, where 72 lives were lost.
The timeline for the required renovation is approximately 20 months, although the exact costs and start date depend on the ongoing tendering process. In the interim, Healthwatch East Riding of Yorkshire, which advocates for local patients, expressed a commitment to ensuring patient safety and care quality are maintained during construction, especially given current pressures on service accessibility.
As the situation develops, the community remains attentive to the balance between necessary safety upgrades and the impact on ongoing patient care at this crucial healthcare facility.
