Hospital fire shuts minor injury ward in South Bristol
Posted: 13th August 2013
Posted in: Medical Negligence 
A small fire in the newly opened South Bristol Community Hospital has meant that patients requiring urgent medical advice are being forced to go to their GP, a walk-in centre, or an A&E department. The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, which forced staff to cancel and rearrange scheduled procedures and appointments. A total of 58 patients were in the building at the time when the fire was discovered in a plant room on the roof (04:25 BST).
The fire was put out by two CO2 fire extinguishers and foam, accompanied by a ventilation fan to clear the smoke. Although no one was injured as a result of the fire, many patients will go untreated unless they seek other means of assistance. Hospital services and emergency departments in Bristol city centre are likely to see a busy period due to the disruption at South Bristol Community Hospital.
Many cancellations have been made as a result of the fire
The hospital has managed to transfer a degree of X-ray appointments and ophthalmic procedures to the Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Bristol Eye Hospital; however, a lot of cancellations have been made as a result of the fire. Staff at the Urgent Care / Minor Injuries Unit at South Bristol Community Hospital will still be available to assess patients that come to the hospital, but will not be equipped to treat them. Any patients will be re-directed to an appropriate centre.
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