Ad
Friday, October 10, 2025

Residents ‘disgusted’ after NHS medical records used as kentledge on scaffolding

ADVERTISEMENT

SEVEN tonnes of partly recycled medical records have been used as kentledge to help weigh down a scaffold in Milton Keynes.

Locals have been left ‘disgusted’ after hundreds of thousands of NHS medical records were meant to be shredded but instead placed on a scaffold at an art festival to help stabilize it.

The medical records that include confidential data were only partly destroyed and were still legible, prompting fears of possible identity fraud, reports The Sun.

To make matters worse some of the records had come loose from around 40 bales and were strewn around in the street, visible for people to read.

Aiden Birch, 36, said: “I could see prescription forms and there were clear names and addresses and details of surgery. It is disgusting. You can see people’s private information.”

The freestanding four lift scaffold forms part a sculpture at the annual Festival of Urban Living outside a shopping center in Milton Keynes.

A spokesperson from the scaffolding company who erected the structure told ScaffMag: “The paper bales were a part of the art installation and procured by the council. It was nothing to do with us, we also used concrete ballast to weigh down the scaffold.

We calculated 24 tonnes of kentledge and deducted about 7 tonnes to allow for the paper bales that were procured and delivered by the council as part of the installation, as well as wooden windows and other recycled materials used to construct the artwork.”

Event organisers specified recyclable material should be used to help stabilise the structure from winds. A recycling company in Hertfordshire sent cut and part-shredded paper.

The council was “appalled” at the mishap and said: “We immediately covered the bales and arranged for their removal.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Construction starts slump as housing confidence falters

The UK construction industry is facing renewed decline, according...

National Scaffolding Week 2025 launches to celebrate industry’s people and skills

National Scaffolding Week 2025 has officially launched, shining a...

Ethiopia church scaffolding collapse kills at least 30

At least 30 people have died and more than...

Building Britain’s Scaffolding Future

Sean Pike on transforming an industry one system project...

Related articles

SCP’s fundraiser and business connections helps NHS Covid-19 fight

SCP Forgeco's fundraising exploits and business know-how has provided vital safety equipment for Wolverhampton NHS Trust to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. Scaffolding and Construction Products and Forgeco (SCP Group UK) based in Coseley,...
- Advertisements -

Latest topics

PERI UP system supports cladding remediation at Hilton Hotel

The Hilton Hotel in Kingston upon Thames is undergoing...

Midland Scaffolding staff go the distance in charity challenge for Poppy

Midland Scaffolding Services (MSS) has raised an impressive £20,000...

AT-PAC names new UK MD as ScaffEx25 showcases national ambitions

After unveiling a wave of new systems at Bauma...

ScaffEx25: An Industry Comes of Age in Manchester

Two days in September that showcased not just where...
- Advertisement -