Queen Alexandra Hospital Declares Critical Incident During Heatwave

Queen Alexandra Hospital has declared a critical incident following chiller unit failures during the ongoing heatwave, impacting digital systems and clinical services.

The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth has declared a critical incident on Wednesday, June 24, due to the failure of several chiller units during the ongoing heatwave. The loss of cooling capacity has led to elevated temperatures across various areas of the hospital, affecting digital systems and critical clinical services including theatrescardiac catheter laboratories (cath labs) and diagnostic scanning facilities.

Engineers are on-site working to restore the affected systems and minimize disruption to patient care. While patients and staff remain safe, the hospital is taking all necessary measures to limit any disruption to care and restore services as quickly as possible.

Some planned care and appointments have been postponed until the issues are resolved. Patients will be contacted if their care is impacted and should continue to attend appointments unless notified otherwise. If attending an appointment, patients are advised to limit the number of people with them and bring plenty of water, as the hospital is very hot.

The Impact on Hospital Services

The unprecedented pressures created by the current heatwave, combined with the failure of several chiller units, have led to significant disruption across various services at Queen Alexandra Hospital. Essential and emergency services remain available for anyone who needs them. However, the hospital is encouraging the local community to consider alternative healthcare options for non-urgent medical concerns, including community pharmacies, GP practices, urgent treatment centers, and NHS 111.

To help ensure services remain available for those who need them most, the hospital is urging the community to collect loved ones who are ready to leave the hospital. Prompt and safe discharges will help free up beds for patients requiring urgent treatment and support the hospital in responding to the ongoing incident.

Statement from the Deputy Chief Executive

Mark Orchard Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, reassured patients and communities that despite the current challenges, essential and emergency services remain available. He emphasized that the hospital teams are working hard to repair the affected equipment, restore systems safely, and ensure the continuation of safe care for patients.

Orchard stated, “We would like to reassure our patients and communities that despite the current challenges, essential and emergency services remain available for anyone who needs them. The unprecedented pressures created by the current heatwave, combined with the failure of a number of our chiller units, have led to significant disruption across several of our services. Our teams are working hard to repair the affected equipment, restore systems safely, and ensure we continue to provide safe care for our patients.”

Advice for Patients and Visitors

If you require urgent medical help, please contact NHS 111 or dial 999. If you need to attend the emergency department, please come alone or only bring one person with you and bring plenty of water, as you may be waiting longer than normal. The hospital is taking all necessary steps to manage the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of its patients and staff.

The hospital’s proactive measures and the dedication of its engineering and medical teams are crucial in navigating this challenging period. By following the advised precautions and considering alternative healthcare options for non-urgent needs, the community can support the hospital in maintaining essential services during this critical incident.