Health risk warning after mould found on walls at new Aberdeen hospital

Plasterboard and wall insulation had to be removed from a new hospital project in Aberdeen because of mould and water ingress.

The Baird and Anchor Centre are still under construction, years overdue, and hundreds of millions of pounds over the original budget.

An internal document in 2023, seen by STV News, shows mould growing on plasterboard which had already been fitted.

An infection control team observed water ingress “into insulation and plasterboard around most of the perimeter walls”.

It also said other materials had been stored in the buildings before it was weather-tight.

The recommendation was for all dry fittings, including the plasterboard and insulation, which had been exposed to water and showing signs of mould growth, to be removed and replaced.

The experts warned that construction material which had been wet or previously wet would pose a health hazard for the lifetime of the material being in the building.

The new Baird Family Hospital will replace the current maternity hospital, while the Anchor Centre will care for cancer patients.

Areas impacted included the new Neonatal Unit, theatre suites, and consultation rooms at the Baird hospital.

The issue of mould growth at the two sites was revealed to the board of NHS Grampian in 2023.

At the time, it also raised several issues around the building of the two sites.

This included about air changes at the Anchor Centre, and a terrace at the centre would have allowed a mix of natural and mechanical air, meaning contaminated air could have entered the building where patients were being treated.

Problems with the water system at the Anchor Centre were also raised.

The document from experts also warned that mould growth can happen between layers of plasterboard and that, after testing, it was found that Penicillium chrysogenum was the most common species discovered.

In one instance, inspectors said they had found someone had tried to remove the mould, but traces were still found.

Graham, who are the main contractors for the development, have been contacted for comment.

NHS Grampian have been contacted for comment on the issue of mould and water ingress.

The latest revelations come after STV News revealed concerns by a whistleblower that the new hospital projects were “downplayed” with public money being “wasted”.

An investigation found that a key process in the design of the new project was not carried out, leading to concerns over infection risks, redesigns and rising costs.

NHS Grampian at the time said it welcomed the conclusions and recommendations of the independent third-party investigation.

It found that a risk assessment system known as HAI Scribe (Healthcare Associated Infection System for Controlling Risk in the Built Environment) wasn’t properly completed during the design of the Baird and Anchor.

It also found that in the early years of the project, concerns were raised but “were consistently downplayed, and there remain individuals who continue to minimise infection prevention risks.”

The Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Centre were originally due to open in 2020 and cost around £134 million.

Neither site has opened yet, and the current budget is around £438m.