Ian Rowlan, estates delivery lead for the East Region at NHS England, visited the West Yorkshire hospital on National Healthcare and Facilities Day alongside Kevin Keogh, chartered construction senior project manager with Robertson Construction, which is delivering RAAC strengthening works on-site.
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the extensive inspection, monitoring, and maintenance programme that has been developed to manage RAAC across the hospital estate.
Airedale General Hospital is one of several NHS sites nationally affected by RAAC, a lightweight construction material widely used between the 1950s and 1990s. AGH Solutions, part of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, is responsible for delivering the programme of inspections, risk assessments, maintenance, and strengthening works required to ensure the continued safety and operational resilience of the estate.
During the visit, representatives toured several wards and clinical areas to see how AGH Solutions monitors the condition of RAAC panels and undertakes ongoing mitigation works while maintaining a fully operational hospital environment.
Ian Rowlan, estates delivery lead for the East Region at NHS England, said: “The work being undertaken at Airedale General Hospital is fantastic. The level of commitment and professionalism demonstrated across the team is clear, and it’s evident how much effort goes into ensuring the estate remains safe and operational.”
Richard Burgin, estates project (RAAC) manager at AGH Solutions, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Ian and Kevin to Airedale and demonstrate the work our teams carry out every day. Managing RAAC requires careful planning, robust processes, and close collaboration with partners, and it was great to have the opportunity to showcase the expertise and dedication of everyone involved.”
AGH Solutions MD Dennis Kentrop added: “Our teams play a vital role in ensuring the hospital estate remains safe, resilient, and fit for purpose. The management of RAAC at Airedale is a significant undertaking, requiring specialist knowledge, rigorous inspection regimes, and a commitment to continuous improvement. I am immensely proud of the professionalism and expertise shown by colleagues across the organisation.”