Health and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi today said he has requested a meeting with Skanska after weak concrete was found to have been used across Mater Dei Hospital. Skanska had handled most of the hospital project.
Addressing the media at the hospital, Dr Mizzi explained that in August 2014, the contractor tasked with building two additional storeys on top of A&E carried out core tests that revealed that the concrete structure was too weak. The government requested ARUP, a well-renowned engineering company, to compile a technical report.
Weak beams and concrete
An inspection of the building revealed that there are no immediate risks, and the hospital can continue operating as usual. However, it also confirmed that the strength concrete is significantly lower than the specified value and beams and columns have a lower safety margin than they should. This might pose a risk in future development plans. The specified value is that of 30MPa, but the concrete at the A&E unit is 18MPa – significantly below specifications.
The issue is not only present in the A&E unit of the hospital, but also in block D – where most of the wards are. The concrete strength there stands at 23MPa, as oposed to that of 30MPa. Block A,B, C, E and the Mortuary have no significant issues. Concrete used in the recently opened Oncology centre met the specified design value, and no remedial works are required there.
Director of ARUP Andrew Harrison explained that concrete in Malta should only contain hard rock aggregate, but the mix used at Mater Dei contained soft aggregate. He said that because of this, remedial measures are necessary – including reconfiguration of the roof plant room to reduce loads and introduction of bracing and additional shear walls to provide enhanced stability.Repairs are also required to columns in poor condition as well as verification of ties to the external façade.
Works should be completed by 2016
The remedial designs are currently being finalised and works in the A&E should be completed by the end of 2016. The total cost would be of approximately €30 million, with €5million solely for the emergency unit.
Mr Harrison said that to his knowledge, the company never came across similar issues in public buildings, adding that the situation is definitely ‘surprising’ and ‘disappointing’.
Mr Mizzi stressed that the situation does not call for alarm, however it does cause concern. He said that safety would remain the government’s priority.
Liability report
Apart from the technical investigation, another inquiry to establish who is responsible for this is being conducted, led by Judge Phillip Scibberras. The government is expected to be handed the report in the coming days, and authorities will inform the press of decisions taken, however Dr Mizzi did say that he has requested an urgent meeting with Skanska’s CEO, as specifications in the building of the hospital were not met.
As part of the inquiry, several key players were interviewed, to assess civil, commercial and criminal liability.
The Health Minister said that the government held the last review of the technical report on Wednesday. When asked, he said that both the technical and inquiry report will be tabled in parliament.
The government is expected to hold talks with the unions involved including The Medical Association of Malta (MAM), Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), General Workers Union (GWU) and Union Ħaddiema Magħudin (UĦM).
Bed shortage
After it was revealed last year that the concrete structure cannot support the initial plans for additional floors, the project was shifted to another location and meanwhile, works there have progressed. Two wards, including 68 beds each are expected to open up at the end of this year.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said that according to EU statistics, Malta has approximately 500 less acute beds than needed. St Luke’s had 299 beds for every 100,000 people. Mater Dei has 256 beds for 100,000 people. The EU average currently stands at 384 beds for every 100,000 of the population.