Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust have jointly commissioned with its PFI provider a series of surveys covering the compliance of Darent Valley Hospital with its PFI contract.

Over 40,000 issues have been identified that need rectification, requiring extensive hospital remediation. These cover cladding, ventilation, lighting, acoustics, and structural concerns. The significant number of fire safety issues discovered has led the fire and rescue authority to issue an enforcement notice to the PFI provider, mandating fault remediation by 2027.

The Trust is prepared to take over the rectification work if the PFI provider fails to make adequate progress. As plans for achieving a compliant hospital develop over the coming months, the Trust is looking for a construction management partner to collaborate with its current advisors. This partnership will help the Trust better understand its options and support it throughout the rectification process.