Cumberland Infirmary: Fire safety fears at UK's first PFI hospital

Fire safety concerns have been raised by health bosses at Britain's first hospital funded in partnership with the private sector.

Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary opened in 2000 and was the first built under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

But the trust in charge has expressed "deep concerns" over materials used in the hospital, which cost £67m to build.

PFI firm, Health Management Carlisle Limited, has so far declined to comment on the trust's claims.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust said since a new management team had taken over at the hospital, it had uncovered "major flaws" in elements of the hospital's construction.

It said some remedial work had already been carried out along with improved training for staff.

But chief operating officer Helen Ray said further work would mean some patients being moved to temporary wards to be built in the hospital grounds.

She said problems related specifically to fire proofing materials used, which she said did not meet required standards to allow for safe evacuation or prevent fire from spreading in the building.

She added: "Whilst all appropriate measures are now in pace to safeguard staff, patients and visitors against the possibility of fire whist this work takes place, the risks identified through our own independent report were wholly unacceptable and were raised immediately with our PFI partner who are responsible for the Cumberland Infirmary building.

"This is not the first time we have uncovered such major flaws in the service provided to us through our PFI partner and the trust board remains very deeply concerned that the current arrangements are not providing the high standards of service we require for our patients in North Cumbria on a consistent basis."

The trust said it had notified the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and the Department of Health.