NHS hospital declares ‘major incident’ after maternity ward suffers blackout following flooding – with mothers and newborn babies evacuated

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An NHS hospital has declared a major incident and evacuated its maternity ward after it lost power throughout the entire building. 

The blackout at Blackpool Victoria Hospital Women’s and Children’s Unit comes after severe flooding took place over night.

Babies and expectant mothers had to be moved to other parts of the hospital, while other patients have had their elective operations and appointments rescheduled. 

Firefighters are trying to clear standing water from the basement of the hospital with officials adding that patients in the building are safe and continuing to  receive the appropriate care despite the huge disruption.  

The situation has been described as a ‘major incident level two’. Patients with scheduled elective operations are being asked to rearrange.

Babies and expectant mothers had to be moved to other parts of Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s Women’s and Children’s Unit

The blackout at Blackpool Victoria Hospital Women’s and Children’s Unit comes after severe flooding took place over night

Those who have not been contacted are advised to attend scheduled appointments. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Trish Armstrong-Child said: ‘Overnight, the basement of the Women’s and Children’s Unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital experienced severe flooding.

‘This has led to a loss of power and network access to the entire building. We have received support from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to reduce the localised flooding, but further work is required today to clear the area of standing water.

‘Due to this incident, we have contacted patients to rearrange their elective surgery where necessary. If you haven’t been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.

‘Outpatient activity due to take place in the Women’s and Children’s Unit is being individually risk assessed and where appropriate diverted. We have contacted patients to cancel or rearrange their appointment as necessary.

Ms Armstrong-Child added: ‘If you haven’t been contacted, please attend your appointment as normal. Please be assured that all patients within the hospital are safe and continue to receive appropriate care.

‘The hospital’s urgent care pathway is also currently under a lot of pressure. We are appealing to our communities to think before attending our Emergency Department and to use NHS111 for advice and guidance.

‘Colleagues from across the executive and senior leadership teams are working closely together and with our partners in the wider care community to ensure the Trust remains focused on this important work and I’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing efforts.’

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