Parts of ceilings have collapsed at two key units of a derelict NHS hospital, forcing it to evacuate patients and cancel X-rays and scans, the Guardian can reveal.
The problems at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, which has been plagued by leaks and major structural defects, have led to claims that it is now “dangerous for both patients and staff”.
The first partial ceiling collapse occurred on March 4 in Stockport Hospital’s radiology department due to a leak, forcing the cancellation of several planned procedures. The trust declined to reveal how many agreements were involved.
The second collapse occurred the next day in the intensive care unit, which treats critically ill patients receiving intensive and dependent care.
Staff had to act quickly to get patients out of the 13-bed unit to ensure no one was injured.
Evacuated patients were initially cared for in some of Stepping Hill’s twenty operating theatres. Some were then transferred to a nearby hospital while repairs were made.
“These reports from Stepping Hill are both shocking and depressing,” said Dr Rob Barnett, chairman of the North West Regional Council of the British Medical Association. “For staff to work and see patients in these conditions is completely unacceptable.”
Both were classified as “business continuity” events, which is how the NHS describes incidents that involve a serious disruption to the provision of medical care.
The latest problems are laid bare in a report by Stockport NHS Trust CEO Karen James, which was presented at the most recent board meeting on April 4.
She told the board how, in addition to the closure of an outpatient clinic because it was deemed unsafe, “we have also experienced unexpected and unrelated ceiling collapses in our intensive care unit and radiology department, caused by leaks from the heating system.
“The intensive care unit had to be evacuated, but thanks to the quick action of our staff, no patients were harmed. The leak in the radiology department resulted in the cancellation of some appointments.” Both units had to close temporarily due to urgent repair work.
James also warned that “property issues are more likely to impact our services… we are likely to experience more business continuity issues as a result of our aging buildings.”
Stepping Hill faces further disruption as crumbling infrastructure means:
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It had to close its B-unit outpatient clinic last November after inspectors reported a “significant deterioration of the building structure”
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It is only offering 51% of the outpatient appointments it should because some of the services provided in that now-shut down unit are now running at less capacity than previous capacity
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In some areas, staff must form ‘bucket squads’ when it rains to prevent water from causing flooding and damaging vital equipment
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It has had to reschedule 99 operating room sessions – involving orthopedics, general surgery and gynecology – as it builds a new emergency and urgent care campus
Tom Morrison, a local Liberal Democrat councillor, said: “Important operations are being postponed for weeks because the buildings are in disrepair.”
The Stockport Trust wants to replace the hospital – parts of which were built in 1903 – with a completely new facility. It doesn’t have enough money to make all the repairs it deems necessary. However, it has been forced to continue providing services from its crumbling facility after it signed up to become one of 40 projects in the government’s ‘new hospitals programme’ in England, which then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised in 2019 will build by 2030. rejected.
Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats’ health spokesperson, said: “Residents of Cheadle and Stockport deserve to be treated in a safe, clean, modern hospital. But under this Conservative government, they are left with a local hospital that has become dangerous for both patients and staff.
“No patient should have to fear for their safety while receiving treatment in hospital. But across the country we are seeing NHS buildings crumbling and ceilings collapsing. It is downright irresponsible that the government is failing to tackle this situation. Rishi Sunak must urgently release funding so that Stepping Hill Hospital can make the repairs it needs.”
A spokesperson for Stockport NHS Trust said: “Leaks are relatively common across a large and diverse estate, made up of various old buildings, infrastructure and condition. We regularly survey the estate to gauge its condition and help us direct investment to the right area. It is common for minor repairs to turn into larger, more complex jobs, up to and including roof replacement.”
