NEWS UPDATE – Statement regarding fire at Singleton Hospital in Swansea last night

NEWS UPDATE

Statement regarding fire at Singleton Hospital in Swansea last night

Please see below a statement following a fire at Singleton Hospital in Swansea last night (March 24).

While we are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum, there may be some knock-on effects.

We are asking patients to be aware that waits in our emergency departments at Morriston and Princess of Wales Hospital are likely to be long and that if they do not have a serious illness or injury they should consider appropriate alternative ways of receiving care.

Here is a statement from Chris White, ABM University Health Board’s chief operating officer:

“We can confirm that there was a fire on ward 12, an oncology ward last night.

“Our fire plan was implemented successfully and all 36 patients, and staff, were evacuated promptly and safely. No one was injured. However, as a precaution those who may have inhaled smoke are being monitored.

“The patients are now being accommodated in other parts of the hospital while ward 12 is assessed.

“Some planned procedures are having to be postponed as a result, but we are keeping patients updated and doing all we can to keep disruption to a minimum.

“However, there may be some knock-on effects to our services as a result of temporarily losing these beds. Morriston and the Princess of Wales hospitals are extremely busy, and because of the situation at Singleton there is less flexibility for intra-hospital support.

“We therefore ask people to be aware that waits in our emergency departments are likely to be long, and we would remind people who do not have a serious illness or injury to consider appropriate alternative ways of receiving care. This can include your pharmacist, GP, the Minor Injury Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, or ringing the free 111 service for advice.

“The damage to Ward 12 will be assessed later, but it is likely that the ward will be out of use for some time.

“We ask the public for their patience and understanding.”