Fire at Northwick Park Hospital (8.30pm Wednesday 11 February)
11-Feb-2009
Press statement 2
Chief Executive of The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Fiona Wise, has praised staff and thanked emergency services for their support today following a fire at Northwick Park Hospital.
She said: “I am pleased to say that the fire has now been put out.
“Our staff, the fire brigade and other emergency services acted very quickly and have been tremendous. All our patients are safe and there have been no injuries as a result of the fire. Patients and their relatives have also been very understanding and my thanks goes out to them.
“The fire has affected our main ward block and also power and water supplies in some areas. Patients will not be able to return to these areas tonight. Regrettably we have decided to cancel routine operations and outpatient appointments at St Mark’s Hospital tomorrow.”
The accident and emergency department remains closed until tomorrow. London Ambulance Service will be diverting patients to other hospitals which includes Central Middlesex Hospital which is also part of the Trust. Walk in patients are advised to go to their other nearest A&E department.
Maternity services are re-opening.
The information line remains open and is 020 8869 2444.
ENDS.
Note to editors
• There will be no further statements this evening.
• Of the 250 patients moved, the Trust was able to discharge 90 patients home as they were well enough and the remaining patients have been placed elsewhere in the hospital, local primary care facilities and our other sister hospital, Central Middlesex in Park Royal.
• The Trust can confirm that at about 2.50pm today it declared an internal major incident at Northwick Park Hospital. This was after smoke was detected through the Trust’s alarm system in the basement of the hospital. The fire brigade attended immediately and continue to be on site.