Emergency at hospital as Storm Ciara causes £20,000 in damage - health chiefs warn of future impact on ageing buildings

The University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton had to implement emergency measures in one ward, and roof panels from the University Hospital of Hartlepool were blown off during last weekend’s storm.

And bosses at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospitals, are warning that the buildings, built in the 1960s and 70s, are at risk to further damage from climate change due to their age.

They also say there will be ‘increasing impact’ on people who use the buildings.

The warning comes as Storm Dennis is set to hit the UK by this weekend bringing more heavy rain and strong winds.

Mike Worden, Managing Director for NTH Solutions, the Trust’s estates and facilities management company, said: “Our teams work tirelessly to maintain and provide the highest standard of facilities for our communities; but our creaking infrastructure means we are ever more vulnerable to effects of climate change.

“Working with funding we have available at present, the Trust is investing as much as possible to address the estate issues but this investment alone cannot sustain the underlying issues.”

He added: “Owing to their age, and despite the dedication of our teams and the resolve of the leadership to address the issues, our buildings are fundamentally vulnerable.

“This inevitably means there is going to be an increasing impact on the people who use our facilities.”

The trust says is working to address climate change issues through a working group established in partnership with NTH Solutions including using solar panels.

A state-of-the-art energy centre has also been built at North Tees to help reduce the amount of energy the trust uses.

It is also working towards reducing single use plastics, having zero landfill waste, and replacing its vehicle fleet with electric models as well as installing charging points for staff and patients.

Trust Chief Executive Julie Gillon added: “We need to ensure that our buildings reflect our continued ambitions to provide outstanding health care to the population of the Tees Valley.”