Asbestos responsible for 53 deaths of hospital workers throughout England

As reported by The Guardian, experts warn that unsafe buildings could still be putting hospital workers in England at risk of cancer

Fresh concerns have been raised about the amount of asbestos remaining in hospitals, after new analysis found that almost 60 health workers were recorded as dying from cancer related to the material in recent years.

According to official data, there have been 53 deaths among health workers since 2017. Experts believe the figure is likely to be a significant underestimate because of the way someone’s profession is recorded on death certificates.

Some 53 healthcare professionals in England died of mesothelioma, according to an analysis of death certificate data recorded by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Mesothelioma is a form of cancer usually linked to prolonged exposure to asbestos.

It comes amid growing complaints from within the NHS over the state of hospital buildings, with concerns that the budget has been relentlessly squeezed since the austerity drive beginning in 2010.

Among the 53 healthcare professionals to have died, 36 were nurses or midwives, two were therapists and 15 were classed as “medical professionals” which includes a range of professions, such as doctors, psychologists and radiographers.

Wilson said the continuing issue with asbestos could still be leading to unnecessary deaths. “These devastating figures show the tragic human cost of years of under-investment in our hospital buildings,” she said. “No nurse should have to put their health at risk when they turn up to work each day.

“The government should be acting urgently to identify and remove asbestos from high-risk areas such as corridors and stairwells. Each crumbling hospital stands as a concrete sign of years of Conservative neglect of our public services.”

Jon Richards, Unison’s assistant general secretary, said: “Too many hospital buildings are riddled with asbestos. But the absence of a national register means the true picture is obscured. Extra government funding for more safety inspections is a must, as is speeding up the removal programme. Public buildings need to be free of the fatal fibres.

“The solution is a properly funded building programme. Staff should no longer have to put up with unsafe, unpleasant surroundings. This would help kickstart the much-needed economic recovery too.”

Ministers, the HSE and experts have said that simply removing all asbestos may not be the safest solution to the issue, as disturbing the material can lead to the greatest exposure.

A government spokesperson said: “We take the health and safety of those who work in the public sector incredibly seriously.

“We provided £4.2bn capital last financial year for the NHS to support local priorities, including to maintain and refurbish their premises – plus a further £8.4bn will be available over this and the next financial year.”