Intrusive surveys are being carried out as part of ongoing preparation to replace the building’s exterior cladding
Intrusive surveys are being carried out on the Tower Block building at Hull Royal Infirmary(Image: NHS Humber Health Partnership)
Disruption is possible on roads around the Hull Royal Infirmary site while survey works are carried out on the tower block. Contractors have been undertaking the intrusive surveys recently as part of ongoing preparation to replace the building’s exterior cladding.
The process has involved temporarily opening or removing a series of panels and covers to inspect the underlying materials before fixing them back in place. Next week, the surveying team is set to reach the final phase of this initial stage, focusing on the east side of the south elevation near the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Explaining the importance of the project, Humber Health Partnership group director of estates, facilities and development, Tom Myers, said: “These intrusive surveys are the latest in an extensive programme of works to develop our plans to update the encapsulation system on the Tower Block.
“Programmes of this scale, within a live hospital environment, take a significant amount of planning and development to ensure patient care is not adversely affected and there has been a tremendous amount of work going on behind the scenes.
“Once the results are back, this will enable the team to further develop the plans for the cladding to be removed and replaced and – while we’re not in a position to share any further details yet – we will keep you updated as more is confirmed.”
To ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff during these surveys and the ongoing construction of the nearby Lansdowne Building, several internal site roads have been closed. Diversions have been put in place and banksmen are stationed on-site to help direct drivers and maintain traffic flow.
Patients with appointments scheduled for next week are being advised to allow extra travel time or consider using public transport where possible to avoid potential delays.
To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal.
Last year, it was revealed the cladding on Hull Royal Infirmary is set to be removed after the building was found to no longer comply with fire safety regulations. The insulation and cladding, which was installed just over a decade ago, “received building control approval” at the time but a change of law was made in 2022.
The hospital’s operator said patients, staff and visitors can be reassured that the building currently features “extensive measures” to ensure fire safety.
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