A major incident has been officially declared following a substantial fire that inflicted significant damage at University Hospital Southampton, leading to widespread disruption and the urgent relocation of patients.
Emergency Response and Patient Relocation
Fire crews were swiftly dispatched to Southampton General Hospital at 5.30am after the blaze ignited in the hospital's endoscopy unit. At its peak, more than 110 firefighters attended the scene to combat the flames, which have since been contained. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.
In response to the emergency, over 200 patients were moved to other areas of the site for care. A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton confirmed in an update that this included temporary arrangements in corridors to ensure patient safety and continuity of treatment.
Impact on Hospital Operations
The fire has had a profound impact on the hospital's ability to maintain normal operations. Significant damage to part of the facility means that planned activities for Monday will be severely limited. Consequently, some operations have had to be cancelled, and the hospital is proactively contacting all affected patients via telephone, email, or text to inform them of these changes.
Staff have identified a number of patients who are able to be discharged on Sunday, and families are being contacted to make suitable arrangements for their collection. This measure aims to alleviate pressure on the hospital's resources during this critical period.
Outpatient Appointments and Visitor Guidance
Patients with outpatient appointments scheduled for Monday are advised to attend as planned, unless they receive direct communication from the hospital on Sunday. However, the hospital has warned of a potential knock-on effect to some outpatient appointments in the coming days, as services are reassessed and prioritised.
In light of the incident, visitors are being asked to stay away from the hospital to allow emergency services and staff to manage the situation effectively. All planned outpatient appointments on Sunday have been cancelled to focus resources on the immediate response.
Emergency Department and Road Closures
The hospital's emergency department is currently diverting patients away, except for those whose conditions are deemed life or limb threatening. This precautionary measure ensures that critical cases receive prompt attention while the hospital deals with the aftermath of the fire.
Surrounding roads have been closed by emergency services to facilitate access for fire crews and other responders. Fire and Rescue Service crews remain on the scene to dampen down and prevent any further risks.
Ongoing Investigation and Recovery
While the fire has been contained, the cause of the blaze is not yet known, and an investigation is likely to follow. The hospital has emphasised that the damage is significant and will require time to assess and repair, impacting services in the short term.
University Hospital Southampton is working diligently to restore normal operations as quickly as possible, with updates expected to be provided to the public and patients as the situation evolves.
