A HOSPITAL is in danger of collapsing due to crumbling concrete that's shutting schools up and down the country, a report warns.
West Suffolk Hospital was told in April its main building risked a "likely" and "catastrophic" caving in.
The report said if the building gave way, it would cause "loss of life and/or major injury" at the 500 bed hospital.
"Asbestos and dust inhalation" was also cited as a risk at the Bury St Edmunds unit.
The NHS hospital was built in 1973 when reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was a popular building material.
Supported by steel rods that run through beams, the concrete was also used in schools and courts from the 1960s onwards.
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But its safety has been pulled into question after a beam containing the concrete collapsed at an unnamed school over the summer holidays.
The government then announced a "change in our approach" to manage Raac, adding recent cases had "led to a loss of confidence in buildings containing the material".
This has resulted in more than 100 schools, 41 hospitals and at least six courts closing – with many more facing the same fate.
It comes as damning pictures showed a row of portaloos brought in St Thomas More Comprehensive in Eltham, South East London, as classrooms were shut following safety fears over the concrete.
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The school has crumbling concrete in its hall, gym, canteen, drama studio and boys’ and girls’ toilets, but still plans to open tomorrow.
Meanwhile, marquees believed to be for teaching were seen outside St Francis Catholic Primary School in Ascot, Berkshire.
Schools minister Nick Gibb told the BBC on Friday that he had been forced to order school closures as RAAC, which was previously considered to be safe, was in fact unsafe.
He added: “A decision had to be made after ‘a number of instances’ over the summer proved RAAC .
“What we discovered over the summer was a number of instances, in schools and in non-schools, in England and outside England, where RAAC that had been considered to be a low risk actually turned out to be unsafe.”
There are now concerns concrete inspections at schools may not be complete until December, leaving thousands of pupils in limbo.
Some impacted schools will start the new term remotely, teaching kids with online lessons in a similar vain to the pandemic.
While some have erected outdoor facilities including marquees so lessons can be taught on site, out of harms way.
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