It is clearly desirable that a health board has the assurance prior to the handover of a new or refurbished healthcare facility that the facility's specialised ventilation systems have been independently validated by an Authorising Engineer as fit for purpose and capable of achieving the operating performance originally specified.

I accordingly recommend that, whatever the method adopted for funding, contracts for the construction of new hospitals should permit independent validation by an Authorising Engineer, appropriately witnessed and with safeguards for all parties. The independent validation should be undertaken on behalf of the health board in accordance with the guidance contained in SHTM 03-01 (2022) with a view to a report or reports being sent to the health board's lead project manager.

In making this recommendation I acknowledge that simply to permit a healthcare provider to carry out independent validation, does not necessarily bring with it any contractual consequences in the event of failure to meet requisite standards; it is merely a way of providing the client with information. As a further step, I see merit in consideration being given as to whether the standard form of contract for revenue-funded projects requires more radical revision. Such revision would be with a view to strengthening the healthcare provider's power to ensure that the completed facility is fit for purpose and constructed in accordance with the healthcare provider's requirements, before the provider accepts handover.