Roy Suryo
The Belfast Health Trust is facing a significant financial blow, with newly identified problems at two of its major building projects set to incur additional costs of nearly £20 million. The escalating expenditure, described by a senior MLA as "such terrible waste," highlights ongoing issues with the new Belfast maternity hospital and the Acute Mental Health facility. The Department of Health has acknowledged the "disappointing" nature of these extra costs but stressed the imperative of completing and delivering these vital healthcare facilities.
The new maternity hospital, situated on the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) site, has already been plagued by substantial budget overruns and delays, exceeding its original projected costs by tens of millions of pounds and falling more than a decade behind schedule. The latest revelations indicate that these spiralling expenses will now push the project’s total cost beyond the £100 million mark. The current predicament stems from chemical flushing procedures, implemented to address an earlier issue of bacteria within the water system. This flushing process has, ironically, caused damage to the building’s pipework, necessitating the replacement of over 2,200 defective valves. A recent report estimates the repair bill for this specific problem to be £7.8 million, with the option of round-the-clock contractor work potentially escalating this figure to nearly £10 million. Work to rectify these valve issues is reportedly already underway.
The gravity of these accumulating costs has drawn sharp criticism from Daniel McCrossan, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. "We can’t see such waste, such terrible waste, within our public sector and then still go to London and demand more [money]," he stated, underscoring the perceived lack of accountability in the management of public funds. Mr. McCrossan emphasised that "every pound counts because it is public money" and called for clear accountability and reassurance regarding the eventual opening of these facilities for the benefit of the taxpayers who have funded them. He questioned the strategy of continually applying "sticking plasters over problems instead of grabbing the bull by the horns and getting these things done."
The new maternity facility is intended to replace the existing Royal Jubilee maternity hospital, also located on the RVH site. However, its opening date remains uncertain due to these persistent repair issues. The building was officially handed over to the Belfast Trust in March 2024. Yet, the discovery of potentially dangerous pseudomonas bacteria in the water system, alongside other complications, has prevented its operational use. An internal investigation by the trust into the building handover and the subsequent water system problems, which was initiated earlier this year, is expected to release its findings this month.
In response to Freedom of Information requests from the BBC, the Belfast Trust has been reticent about disclosing whether the repair costs will be borne by the building contractors or by taxpayers. The trust has consistently responded that it and its legal representatives are engaged with independent experts on liability matters and cannot provide further updates. Despite this, a statement from Belfast Trust indicated that current repair cost estimates are around £7 million, though the final overall cost of the project remains unknown and subject to inflationary pressures. The trust outlined a plan for one section of the new building to be occupied by March 2027 and the neonatal unit to be handed over by November 2027, contingent on the success of the ongoing repair programme.
The Department of Health has confirmed that it and the Belfast Trust are actively reviewing the factors contributing to the cost increases and delays. A department spokesperson acknowledged the "pressures on public finances" and stated that "should specific liability be established, we will ensure that the relevant parties are held accountable."
Graham Construction, the firm involved in the construction, maintains that GBHP (Graham Belfast Hospital Project) successfully handed over the hospital to the trust "in accordance with its contractual obligations." They assert that prior to handover, all water quality samples tested within the facility were verified as free from pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA), with these tests independently witnessed and verified by multiple parties. Graham Construction further stated that following the handover, GBHP has had no involvement in the management, operation, or maintenance of the hospital and has not been privy to any matters arising after handover, including the current water quality issues.
Adding to the financial strain, the £33 million Acute Mental Health facility, located on the grounds of Belfast City Hospital and opened in 2019, has also encountered significant problems. These issues have necessitated the relocation of patients, incurring substantial costs. The repair bill for this facility stands at £6 million, with an additional £3.4 million spent on adapting wards at the Knockbracken Healthcare site in south Belfast to accommodate the displaced patients. Patients are not anticipated to return to the Acute Mental Health facility until February 2029, indicating a prolonged period of disruption and further expenditure. The cumulative impact of these building issues across the Belfast Trust paints a concerning picture of public resource management and raises urgent questions about accountability and future project oversight within the healthcare sector.
George Anjay
Nakalama John
atisusanti
Ramos Leo