Problems at two Belfast Health and Social Care Trust buildings could lead to almost £20m in additional costs, according to information obtained by BBC News NI. The largest new expense is at the maternity hospital on the Royal Victoria Hospital site, where recently identified damage could add close to £10m to a project already tens of millions over budget and more than a decade behind schedule. The overall cost is expected to exceed £100m.
The maternity building was handed to the trust in March 2024, but it has not opened after pseudomonas bacteria were found in its water system during testing. Chemical flushing intended to address the contamination has damaged the pipework, with more than 2,200 valves now needing replacement.
A report seen by the BBC estimates repairs at £7.8m, rising to close to £10m if contractors work around the clock. The trust said current estimates were around £7m, but the final cost remains unknown and could be affected by inflation. It also said the planned occupancy of part of the building by March 2027, and handover of the neonatal unit by November 2027, depend on the repair work succeeding. Further commissioning will be needed before the hospital can operate.
The trust has not said whether contractors or public funds will cover the repairs, citing ongoing discussions with independent experts about liability. Graham Construction said the hospital was handed over in line with contractual obligations and that water samples were clear of pseudomonas before handover. It said it had no involvement in the building’s management or operation after that point.
At the Acute Mental Health facility on the Belfast City Hospital site, repairs have cost £6m. A further £3.4m has been spent adapting wards at Knockbracken Healthcare site to accommodate relocated patients. The £33m facility opened in 2019, but patients are not expected to return until February 2029.
Sources: BBC News UK.