Hospital cancels heart and cancer ops after fire

3 hours ago

Marcus WhiteSouth of England

The aftermath of the fire at Southampton General Hospital was captured on camera

A hospital has cancelled some cancer surgery and heart operations following a serious fire that destroyed part of its west wing.

The blaze broke out at about 05:30 GMT on Sunday in the endoscopy unit at Southampton General Hospital and took firefighters more than four hours to bring under control.

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust said the unit, which helps to diagnose medical conditions, had been "completely gutted", while there was fire, smoke and water damage to neighbouring areas.

The hospital praised "heroic" staff who moved about 200 patients to safety and avoided any injuries.

News image — Chief medical officer Paul Grundy said the endoscopy suite had been destroyed

Paul Grundy poses for a photo outside Southampton General Hospital. He is not smiling and wears a dark jacket over a cardigan and patterned shirt, as well as a colourful lanyard. — Chief medical officer Paul Grundy said the endoscopy suite had been destroyed

UHS chief medical officer Paul Grundy said: "The whole of that endoscopy suite and all of the equipment that that contains has been completely destroyed."

Grundy said some inpatient emergency surgery had resumed but all elective surgery on Monday, including on cancer and heart patients, would have to be rescheduled "within the next week or so".

The endoscopy suite, located on E level of the hospital's west wing, has more than 50 patients a day, Grundy said.

UHS is hoping to organise replacement services from other NHS providers, private hospitals or mobile centres, he said.

G level at the top of the building and C level on the ground floor have been reopened but some hospital areas may not be in use for months, he added.

Police and fire crews, along with fire engines, outside Southampton General Hospital attending to the fire. — More than 110 firefighters attended the blaze at its height

About 100 patients remain displaced from their wards, UHS said.

All affected patients were found beds overnight, although some were transported to other hospitals, UHS said.

In a statement, the trust said: "We would like to take this opportunity to recognise the heroic efforts of our staff in the immediate aftermath of yesterday's fire, in particular those who swiftly moved patients to safety when the fire broke out."

The hospital, which is a regional hub for cardiac and neurological care, has closed its emergency department except for patients with life or limb-threatening conditions.

Hospital visiting, which stopped on Sunday, has resumed as normal.

Previously, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was brought under control by about 10:00 GMT on Sunday and the incident was closed at 19:30.

It said the cause was being investigated and the fire appeared to have been confined to the "room of ignition".