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Two newly constructed hospital buildings in Aberdeen—the Baird Family Hospital and The Anchor Centre cancer unit—have encountered significant problems with mould growth even before welcoming their first patients. Infection control experts raised concerns after discovering that some construction materials had become damp during the building process. These materials subsequently developed mould, potentially posing a long-term health risk once the facilities are operational.
Initially planned to open in 2020, these two healthcare centers experienced considerable delays, with construction work only beginning in 2021. The costs have also risen drastically, from an estimated £134 million to over £438 million. The Anchor Centre is currently slated to open in July, while the Baird Family Hospital is expected to start admitting patients the following June. NHS Grampian has confirmed that all mouldy materials identified during inspections have since been removed and asserts that patient safety will not be compromised.
The issues first surfaced more than three years ago when infection control teams spotted plasterboard panels being installed or stored before the buildings were properly sealed against water ingress. Inspections and testing revealed the presence of Penicillium chrysogenum, a common mould species known both as a source of penicillin and as a potential trigger for allergic reactions or infections, especially in vulnerable patients such as those with weakened immune systems, newborns in neonatal care, and cancer patients. To mitigate risks, experts recommended replacing any dampened materials prior to opening.
Alan Wilson, NHS Grampian’s director of infrastructure, acknowledged the delays and apologized, explaining that water ingress occurred at multiple stages of construction. In response, a working group was established, and independent expert advice was sought. Wilson stated, “All the work that was agreed has been carried out, and there’s no further work to be done.” He expressed confidence that infection control teams will ultimately approve the facilities for use once all preventative measures are in place. Additionally, NHS Assure, a national organization responsible for healthcare building safety, will need to sign off on the buildings before they open.
Beyond mould contamination, other infection-related concerns emerged during construction. These included installation of a chilled recirculating cold water system for the entire building despite guidance advocating its use only in specialist units, and ventilation shortcomings at the Anchor Centre’s first-floor treatment area. This treatment space initially allowed patient access to an open balcony, risking the intrusion of contaminated air; as a result, access has now been restricted to maintenance personnel only. Wilson confirmed that modifications to the water and ventilation systems have been undertaken or will be instructed to ensure readiness for opening. The ventilation system has since been approved by the relevant safety group.
Complications like those seen in Aberdeen have also affected Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus. NHS Grampian has suggested that project overspending and delays stem partly from applying lessons learned from the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which is investigating water and ventilation failures in hospitals in Glasgow and Edinburgh. At a recent parliamentary session, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, remarked that the delays were a consequence of the “cautionary approach taken in Edinburgh” being similarly applied in Aberdeen.
However, a recent independent inquiry into a whistleblowing complaint indicated that many errors in the Aberdeen hospital projects arose from inadequate adherence to established infection control processes. The investigation found that a checklist-based system called HAI-Scribe, designed to ensure compliance with infection prevention measures during the design phase, was not properly implemented early on. This failure led to increased costs and compromised patient safety. The report stated, “Implementing stage 2 HAI-Scribe at the design stage would have reduced overall project costs by preventing redesign and remedial works.” It also highlighted that infection control concerns were “consistently downplayed,” and that some individuals continue to minimize the associated risks
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