The Knoll Community Hospital to shut for ‘immediate’ RAAC repairs

A community hospital in the Borders has been shut down to allow for “immediate” repairs to potentially dangerous concrete.

NHS Borders said the Knoll Hospital, an adult in-patient 23 bedded ward, would be relocated on a temporary basis while the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was dealt with.

The Knoll Community Hospital, health centre, Duns Medical Group and Merse Medical Practice operate from the site.

The health board described it as an “emerging situation” and confirmed that no clinics, appointments or in-patient care will be provided while the work is undertaken.

It is not known when the repair work will begin or how long it will take.

Chief officer Chris Myers said: “We recognise that this information will come as a shock to staff, patients and everyone who uses the services provided from the Knoll Hospital and Health Centre, including patients from both GP Practices.

“We are working at pace to identify alternative locations from which services will be provided whilst the remedial works are undertaken.

“As soon as we are in a position to confirm these details they will be communicated directly to people affected and made available in the public domain on NHS Borders website.

“There is inevitably going to be a period of disruption which we will of course work to minimise as far as possible.

“I ask for patience whilst we work through the detail; and to enable our staff and partners to focus on the tasks in hand I respectfully ask that people are not drawn into unfounded speculation.

“This is a temporary closure to the Knoll and we are committed to undertaking these works. We are clear at this point that the relevant work will be commissioned with a view to returning the Knoll Community Hospital and Health Centre to a fully functioning facility.

“Although tempting, please do not contact the Knoll Hospital or GP Practice staff to ask about interim arrangements. If you are directly affected with forthcoming appointments etc you will be contacted directly in due course.”

Initial surveys carried out in September 2023 showed that RAAC was present in four of the health board’s buildings – Knoll Hospital, Knoll Health Centre, Jedburgh Health Centre and Kelso Hospital.

According to expert advice, there was no evidence of any “immediate risk” at the time.

However, it has now been found there is an issue with the roof at the Knoll building that requires work “as soon as possible”.