25.09.2015
Dust Found In The Air Due To On-Going Redevelopment Project
A hospital in Wales has had to seal off wards, cancel planned operations and divert emergency ambulances after suspected asbestos dust was found in the air.
Following the news, specialist lawyers from Irwin Mitchell have now repeated their calls for a risk register of harmful asbestos in hospitals and other public buildings to be created so that the potentially deadly substance can be safely removed.
The decision to take action at the hospital was taken after air quality controlled tests were carried out at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Rhyl which revealed “elevated ratings” of an unconfirmed substance in the access corridor. Workmen wearing protective suits and breathing apparatus were seen going into the wards as a quick evacuation took place.
This meant the sudden closure of six wards with gastroenterology, respiratory, ear, nose and throat, general surgery, medicine, and trauma areas all affected.
It also led to the cancellation of six planned operations with everyone but critically ill patients moved to a nearby hospital in Wrexham whilst investigations took place to determine the cause and the severity of the health scare.
After the swift closure of the wards the health boards carried out further air quality tests and were able to reopen the wards and moving the patients back in that afternoon.
A spokesman for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said that it was “purely a precautionary measure” and that “the health and safety of our patients and staff was paramount during this situation”
The hospital is currently in the middle of a £90m redevelopment project to rebuild and revamp the hospital with new state-of-the-art facilities.
Expert Opinion
“Many public buildings such as hospitals and schools were built many years ago when the use of asbestos in construction was widespread. <br/> <br/>“As the asbestos decays and becomes disturbed it can become harmful to people using the buildings and we’ve seen too many tragic cases of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma due to dangerous levels of dust being found in places such as hospitals. <br/> <br/>“In this case it’s good to see such swift decisive action to protect people using the building, especially when many patients priority is improving their current condition. Whilst it may have been inconvenient and possibly upsetting for them the focus has to be on everyone’s health now and in the future. <br/> <br/>“Many people suffer from asbestos-related illnesses later in life because precautions were not taken to protect them from the dangers of the material <br/> <br/>“We have repeatedly led calls for a risk register to be produced detailing asbestos in public buildings across the UK so that harmful asbestos can be safely removed on a priority basis. <br/> <br/>“The dangers of asbestos have been known for decades and whilst clear regulations are in place there are still too many scares considering how serious the repercussions can be.” Katrina London - Senior Associate
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