The disruption caused by Monday’s fire alert at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry is set to run into next week.
Access to a section of the hospital was restricted and day care and outpatient services suspended after an electrical fault in the South Wing triggered an automated fire alarm first thing on Monday morning.
While the majority of services at the hospital have returned to normal, the incident has had a major impact on the hospital’s Endoscopy Decontamination facility resulting in the process being temporary transferred to Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.
Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Services for the Western Health Trust, said the move was in line with the Trust’s “normal contingency planning arrangements.”
Ms McKay added: “This is currently working well with scopes already returning for use to Altnagelvin Hospital from Monday night.”
The disruption to planned elective procedures to be carried out at the hospital’s Endoscopy Unit is set to last into next week.
Ms McKay explained: “The plant affected has been temporarily replaced but must go through a five day testing cycle before it can be fully operational.
“For this reason, there will be some disruption to planned elective procedures to be carried out at the Endoscopy Unit this week and next, and the Trust is actively seeking ways to minimise the impact this will have on patients.
“To date only nine procedures have had to been rescheduled. The Trusts key priority at this time is to ensure that emergency and urgent cases will remain unaffected, and detailed plans are being developed to minimise the general impact of the incident on services.”
Ms McKay concluded: “The Trust appreciates the cooperation and support from the public during this time.”
Tags: