Service resumed (From Warrington Guardian)

Service resumed

at hospital

NORMAL service is almost resumed at Warrington Hospital after an underground fire caused power cuts to many wards, damaging electrical cables.

Repair work to underground cabling has now been completed and the main power supply is almost back to normal.

Patients who require intensive care are no longer being transferred out to other hospitals and it is hoped that planned surgery will re-commence today, Tuesday.

Although 99 per cent of the hospital is up and running normally, alternative arrangements will be put in place for patients who require a CT scan. The main power supply will be backed-up by mobile generators for a short time longer.

The fire, which occurred on February 11, affected the power supply to one surgical ward in Appleton Wing from where 34 patients were temporarily transferred to other parts of the hospital. Eight patients requiring intensive care treatment were transferred to other hospitals.

The Accident and Emergency Department was temporarily closed and patients in need of urgent or emergency care were diverted by ambulance to other hospitals.

The minor injuries service for adults and children resumed afternoon, complemented by a temporary minor injuries service offered at Garven Place Health Centre in the town centre until midnight. The Trust hired an additional generator to supplement those already in use. This new generator, which was fully functional by mid evening, restored essential power to the affected parts of the hospital.

A full investigation into the cause of the incident continues.