Gas Leak Closes Part Of Hospital

Part of a Hampshire hospital was evacuated on Tuesday Sept 20th following a gas leak just after midday.

Some operations were cancelled at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and ambulances and women in labour were being directed elsewhere, a spokeswoman for Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust said.

The leak affected Florence Portal House, containing the maternity unit, and the Burrell Wing, which houses the treatment centre and some administration staff, and was reported at around midday.

The spokeswoman said:

''The rest of the hospital is currently not affected.

''Transco are on site and are working to repair the leak.

''Outpatient appointments are not affected and people are advised to attend as normal.''

Tbe hospital's Chief Executive, Dr Chris Gordon, told Heart just before 4pm that the leak had been capped off, and that it happened due to building work being carried out on the site.

He was hopeful that patients affected would be allowed to return by the evening.

One woman had to give birth in an operating theatre when the maternity unit was evacuated, several others in the early stages of labour were sent home.