Operating theatre floors in children's hospital replaced three times due to 'poor workmanship'

Other issues reported by the Department of Health include compliance and certification concerns in the 244 bathroom pods within the hospital

There are currently 2,057 defects remaining within the hospital, with the briefing note saying these are being added and closed amid inspections from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB). File picture: PA

Multiple operating theatre floors in the National Children’s Hospital were replaced three times due to “poor workmanship and oversight of works” by Bam, the Department of Health has said.

Documents provided to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by the department allege multiple ongoing issues with the delivery of the new children’s hospital, particularly around the so-called ‘hot block’ on Level 2.

“Access to Level 2 has been subject to ongoing and repeated delays due to the failure of Bam to correctly oversee and ensure the quality of the installation of 14 of the 22 theatre resin floors,” the briefing note reads.

“Some of those floors have had to be replaced up to three times because of poor workmanship and oversight of works by Bam.”

The briefing note says that it is continuing to monitor Bam’s progress on delivering the hot block, but cannot forecast when the builder “will be in a position to hand it over”.

Other issues reported by the department include compliance and certification concerns in the 244 bathroom pods within the hospital, which emerged over the summer.

The note says that Bam could not demonstrate that the pods were compliant via testing, with remediation proposals having been submitted by the builder. This plan is currently being examined by the independent employer’s representative.

There are currently 2,057 defects remaining within the hospital, with the briefing note saying these are being added and closed amid inspections from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB).

They added they are undertaking 100% inspections due to “poor quality performance” by Bam. The department added the employer’s representative is currently reviewing the latest substantial completion date as submitted by Bam.

A spokesperson for Bam pushed back on the criticism.

“The specification, selection, and approval of products and systems involves multiple parties throughout the project, including the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board NPHDB and their design team, and forms part of the overall design, review, and certification process,” the spokesperson said.

“Bam continues to work closely with the NPHDB and Children’s Health Ireland to deliver the hospital as quickly and safely as possible for the children of Ireland.”