Cladding at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/00491
Date received: 12 February 2018
Date responded: 20 February 2018

Information requested

For the cladding at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, due to the re-cladding at the hospital (£6 million), this contradicts previous accounts and explanations and a full explanation is requested.

Response

Further to my previous responses, I advised you that the hospital is regarded as one of the safest buildings in the UK. Stringent testing of installed building materials was carried out on the building following the Grenfell Tower incident and this further confirmed the building's safe status (details of the testing were previously sent to you).

As you have recently become aware, a re-cladding exercise is to be carried out on the building. Replacement products for cladding panels on certain sections of the hospital have now been identified and the process of preparing to remove and replace is now getting underway. I would like to stress however that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been given assurances from the National Fire Officer that the hospital does remain amongst one of the safest buildings in the UK in terms of fire engineering. However to give extra reassurance to the public and to hospital patients and staff, a decision has been taken to replace panels. To ensure minimal disruption, the works will be spread over several months with everything being scheduled for completion within 12 months of the building warrant approval being granted.

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