Portsmouth hospitals "continue to support" University Hospitals Southampton following fire as it calls for help to keep emergency care free for those that need it most

200 patients were evacuated from Southampton General Hospital on Sunday, February 1 and while many remained in the same hospital, others were transferred elsewhere. PHU, which runs QA, confirmed that it was supporting the University Hospitals Southampton (UHS) on social media yesterday.

It has today (February 2) confirmed that it “continues to support” the Southampton NHS Trust and has called on people to help keep emergency care free for those who need it most as it deals with the extra demand.

A PHU spokesperson said: “We continue to support University Hospital Southampton following the recent fire at Southampton General Hospital. NHS teams across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are working closely together to keep patients safe and ensure people can receive care when they need it.”

PHU has asked people to only attend the emergency department if it is a life or limb emergency. Instead it is asking for patients to utilise GP services, pharmacies or NHS 111 online if non-urgent.

It has has also asked people to pick up loved ones promptly when they are ready to leave the hospital.

The spokesperson added: “Thank you for your patience, support and understanding while we manage this incident together.”

Southampton General Hospital remains in a major incident following the fire yesterday. UHS released pictures and footage revealing the damage caused by the fire which started on E level of the west wing early on Sunday morning. Click here to see the pictures.