Expert review debunks myth that all Hemel Hospital is unfit
- Supporters of the Market Square Health Hub say that Hemel Hospital is old and unfit
- A recent expert report shows this sweeping statement – intended to support the PR campaign for the Hub – is quite wrong and misleading
- The independent Six Facet Survey carried out in the winter of 2023-24 said the structure of the late-20th century Verulam Building at Hemel Hospital is ‘Sound, operationally safe and exhibits only minor deterioration’.
- That included foundations, walls, floors and roofs
- There were quite a number of things that needed doing, including replacing wooden windows, but Verulam is basically a sound building, which could easily be refurbed and extended.
- It would make a great planned care hospital, with room around to expand to meet our growing needs over time
- The redacted detailed survey is here – showing that Verulam is in better structural condition than either of the two main buildings at Watford General, Princess Michael of Kent and the Maternity Block – which will be used until the late 2030s
- 2024 Six Facet half redacted