The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has launched a public consultation regarding the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its main outpatient building. The building is scheduled to close at the end of March due to safety concerns, prompting the Trust to seek public input on plans for a latest facility.
The consultation, announced by redevelopment director Matthew Tulley, aims to gather feedback from patients, staff, and local residents to shape the masterplan for the site. Tulley stated the move “marks an important step on our journey to finally deliver the urgently needed new St Mary’s.” Parts of the hospital date back to 1845 and have fallen into disrepair, with Imperial College Healthcare describing the buildings as “crumbling.”
The discovery of RAAC – a lightweight concrete prone to collapse – in November 2025 led to the decision to close the outpatient building. Further investigation revealed “significant issues” in the foundations of a separate building on the estate, which houses clinical services and an education centre. A visit to the hospital last year by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed evidence of disrepair, including rusty pipes, patched flooring, and leaks.
The need for a new St Mary’s Hospital has become “increasingly urgent” to ensure patient and staff safety, according to the Trust. This development occurs as other hospitals in the UK are also facing significant infrastructure challenges. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Addenbrooke’s Hospital, recently revealed that over 70% of its current estate is in “poor or bad condition” and is developing plans for a £2.3bn acute hospital as part of a “radical new” care model. That project aims to shift care towards community-based “neighbourhood health services” and away from traditional hospital settings.
Elsewhere, plans have been submitted for a new £20m building at Wycombe Hospital to replace an existing, “unfit” structure. These projects reflect a broader pattern of aging infrastructure within the National Health Service, requiring substantial investment and redevelopment.
The public consultation for St Mary’s Hospital is now underway, with the Trust seeking to incorporate community feedback into the initial stages of the masterplan. The BBC reported on the plans in a segment broadcast on February 18, 2026.
