THE NHS in Wiltshire has come under fire from the Health And Safety Executive for failing to undertake a required asbestos survey when refurbishing a Swindon health centre.

NHS Wiltshire, which was managing the renovation work at Eldene Health Centre, has been handed an improvement notice by the HSE for not carrying out the correct survey to detect if the work would involve coming into contact with asbestos.

An asbestos survey was carried out in November last year but at the end of January new guidance was published by the HSE setting out that such work required a more detailed inspection – one of which would have needed to be undertaken at the Eldene refurbishment in Collingsmead.

A few days after the new guidance came into effect, the renovation work began on the building.

This was followed by a visit from an HSE inspector, who said the more detailed asbestos survey should have been carried out in order to maximise the safety of the contractors working on the refurbishment.

The survey took place the next day, but no asbestos was present.

NHS Swindon, which was also involved with the project, was also served with an improvement notice by the HSE on the same grounds.

A statement from NHS Wiltshire said: “Action has already been undertaken to comply with the new rules and we see no problems in delivering the report to the HSE.

“No patients or public were put at risk and no asbestos was found in the building.”

There are stringent laws in the UK when demolishing or renovating buildings which might contain asbestos – all contractors and builders must adhere to the rules otherwise they can face hefty fines and even a criminal record.