29 patients remain on site to receive treatment following ‘medium to small’ fire
“If any expectant mothers have queries in relation to their care in WGH’s maternity unit, they can ring the labour ward, 053 915 3368,” the statement said.Hospital clinical lead Prof Obada Yousif and general manager Linda O'Leary outside Wexford General Hospital on Wednesday. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
“The technical assessment is under way,” he said. “We will establish then what services we can bring back and how quickly we can bring them back but it has to be done in a safe manner for our patients and in a co-ordinated way so that we don’t lose any patient in the process. The safety of our patients is of primary importance.”
With regard to maternity, “antenatal services will be up and running within a day or so” he said and “we are working on plans to re-establish other services as quickly as possible but Waterford is the nearest hospital and [it] has agreed to take the maternity and other emergency patients for as long as we need them to.
“We know they can certainly start getting back up and running in days. But obviously to get the 207 patients back in, it’s going to take probably weeks and months. But I can see the hospital turning this around. Certainly in the next couple of days, they’re going to start putting the building together again.”
Mr McCallion acknowledged that there were challenges that came with the transfer of patients such as the transfer of their medical records. A technical assessment will underpin the next actions, he said. “Key areas in this instance will be areas like oxygen supplies and electrical safety. Those are some of the key elements given where part of the fire occurred. So it’s too early to say where and what time frame that will happen.
Wexford TD Verona Murphy praised the emergency services and hospital staff and management for the manner in which they handled the fire and subsequent evacuation.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wexford General Hospital maternity services to resume tomorrow following yesterday's fireMaternity services will resume at Wexford General Hospital tomorrow, with outpatient appointments recommencing on Monday
Read more »
Fire breaks out at Wexford General Hospital as emergency services rush to blazePeople have been advised to stay away from the area
Read more »
Wexford General Hospital evacuated due to fire, public asked to avoid areaResidents living near hospital advised to ‘close windows and doors and turn off all air ventilation’
Read more »
Fire breaks out at Wexford General HospitalResidents living near hospital advised to ‘close windows and doors and turn off all air ventilation’
Read more »
Fire breaks out at Wexford General HospitalWexford County Council is urging members of the public to avoid the area.
Read more »