NHS trust has not put a value on the job

The NHS trust responsible for completing the Liverpool hospital left half-built when Carillion collapsed almost two years ago is seeking a firm to replace the non-compliant cladding on the building.

The Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust has not put a value on the job, which is due to run for 20 months. 

Royal Liverpool Hospital - September 2019 (18)

The Royal Liverpool hospital in September 2019

A review by Arup found that cladding Carillion fitted to the Royal Liverpool hospital, which is now being built by Laing O’Rourke, did not to meet the required standards in September 2018.

More than 12 months later, in November last year, the trust admitted work was still ongoing to find out how to rectify the problem.

Trust chief executive Steve Warburton said a progress report sent to it by project manager Gleeds had said work “was progressing well, although a solution for the external cladding is still being worked through with specialist advisers”.

But the trust has now said it is looking for a firm to carry out the work.

The trust said: “The cladding remedial and replacement works are challenging and require engineering skill, attention to detail, with a high degree of focus on quality of installation and finish.

“The works will be undertaken to areas of the project where the internal aspects of the building have either been completed or are in the process of being completed by others.”

Firms have until the end of the month to register their interest in the job.

When the Royal Liverpool is completed, which is now expected to be in 2022, it will have 646 beds, including a 40-bed critical care unit, 18 operating theatres and one of the largest emergency departments in the North-west.