RAAC
to create an industry leading, digital platform which captures a comprehensive picture of asset condition across the hospital. Information gathered through inspections informs prioritisation decisions, enabling investment to be targeted towards those areas presenting the greatest risk or operational significance. Interventions range from temporary propping and
structural strengthening through to roof repair programmes and major refurbishment projects. The approach ensures resources are focused where they will have the greatest impact on safety and operational resilience. This risk-based philosophy has enabled AGH Solutions to maintain ALARP status around the risk management, an important legal consideration, and maintain confidence in the estate while planning for the eventual replacement of the hospital through the New Hospital Programme.
Digital transformation and the evolution of asset intelligence A key component of the programme has been the development of a digital RAAC management platform in partnership with Esri UK and BIS Consult. Prior to its introduction, inspection processes relied
heavily on handwritten survey records, paper plans, spreadsheets, and manually uploaded photographs. While functional, the process was labour intensive and made it difficult to visualise estate-wide risks in real time. The resulting digital geospatial platform transformed
how the estate is managed. Surveyors can now capture information directly in the field, update risk assessments in real time, and immediately synchronise information with a central dashboard. The system provides visual representations of risk throughout the hospital, helping estates teams prioritise interventions, and respond quickly to changes in asset condition. The platform enables:
n Real-time inspection recording. n Digital photographic asset histories. n Geospatial mapping of RAAC locations. n Dynamic risk visualisation. n Automated reporting and governance dashboards. n More effective prioritisation of remedial work. n Integrated remote monitoring providing early warning of changes in state
For AGH Solutions, digitisation has generated approximately 50 per cent efficiency savings within admin focused inspection activities while reducing the burden of repeated access into clinical spaces. The system has also supported improvements in infection prevention and health and safety arrangements during inspection works.
Delivering remediation in a live acute hospital One of the most significant achievements of the programme has been the ability to undertake major remediation works while maintaining clinical services. Unlike conventional construction environments, work at Airedale takes place within an operational acute hospital where services must continue around the clock. Estates teams must balance engineering requirements with patient flows, infection prevention measures, clinical priorities, and operational demands. Industry recognition of the programme highlighted
that approximately 98 per cent operational occupancy was maintained despite extensive remediation and refurbishment activity. Achieving this level of continuity requires detailed planning, stakeholder engagement, and close collaboration between estates, clinical teams, and contractors.
The programme includes targeted strengthening
works, temporary propping, roof remediation, and major refurbishment schemes, all delivered within a live healthcare environment.
The role of a construction partner in major estate transformation A significant component of the RAAC strategy has been the ward decant and refurbishment programme delivered in partnership with Robertson Construction. While localised remediation remains vital, the scale
of the challenge requires more extensive interventions in some areas of the estate. Through a rolling programme of ward decants, AGH Solutions and Robertson Construction have created a delivery model that enables significant remediation works to be completed safely and efficiently whilst preserving healthcare operations. This integrated approach maximises value from each decant period. Once access to clinical areas has been secured, project teams can tackle a range of maintenance, compliance, and modernisation activities, reducing the likelihood of future disruption and improving long-term estate resilience. For NHS estates teams facing similar challenges,
the programme demonstrates how remediation can be aligned with wider estate transformation objectives rather than being treated as a standalone engineering exercise.
AGH Solutions engineers (and the author) working on-site.
Interventions range from temporary propping and structural strengthening through to roof repair programmes and major refurbishment projects. The approach ensures resources are focused where they will have the greatest impact on safety and operational resilience.
October 2026 Health Estate Journal 53
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188
