Bathroom setback at new Children's Hospital
Summary
The National Children’s Hospital faces further delays with 240 bathrooms requiring corrective works and unresolved fire safety issues. Guests Pauli Grice and Dr. Brian Turner discuss the project’s decade-long construction, over 2,000 outstanding defects, and a 60% drop in on-site workers. They criticize the government’s lack of control and the flawed contract, with Turner estimating the hospital won’t treat patients until late 2027 at the earliest.
Topics discussed
Introduction: New setbacks and defects at National Children's Hospital
Guest introductions and context on outstanding defects
Dr. Turner on the 10-year construction timeline and delays
Comparing global hospital projects and rising construction costs
Pauli Grice on bathroom issues, poor workmanship, and dust
Drop in on-site workers and call for legal action against BAM
Discussion on changing specifications and mediation disputes
Uncertainty over final costs and extraordinary workmanship failures
Changing standards vs. original contract and inspection rates
Grice argues for High Court undertaking to force worker deployment
Missed deadlines, incomplete rooms, and lack of agreed completion date
Prediction for first patient treatment and closing remarks
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