Southampton General Hospital opens new endoscopy units after wing was destroyed in devastating fire
Mobile units mean that a hospital can now offer endoscopies after a devastating fire
A hospital is reopening a unit to patients after it was destroyed in a fire.
The endoscopy department at Southampton General Hospital saw a devasting blaze on Sunday, February 1, which led to more than 500 patients being evacuated and more than 100 firefighters called to the emergency. Investigations revealed it was caused by an electrical fault.
While the west wing of the hospital is badly damaged and needs widespread repair, the trust which operates the hospital has now opened two new mobile endoscopy units, so the hospital can now start offering the procedure again.
After the fire Queen Alexandra Hospital said it had offered “support” to Southampton - and because the A&E department there was temporarily closed, issued a plea that only “life and limb” emergency cases came into Portsmouth.
An endoscopy is procedure in which a camera is inserted into the patient’s body to diagnose medical conditions and illnesses. The two new units are opposite the hospital’s main entrance, and will be there for at least two years.
Since the fire, only emergency, inpatient and therapeutic endoscopies have been possible at Southampton General - and this could only happen after the repurposing of two theatres plus using an area in the Trust’s Clinical Research Facility.
Some patients have been seen by hospital staff, who were relocated, in temporary sites including Royal South Hants, Spire, Nuffield and Lymington hospitals - but University Hospital Southampton Foundation trust, which runs the hospital, admits that despite this there has been a knock-on effect on waiting lists.
The new suites include reception areas, consulting and procedure rooms as well as recovery areas. Southampton Hospitals Charity has donated equipment for staff working in the units including microwaves, coffee machines and mugs after everything in the unit was destroyed in the fire.
The hospital still has 140 fewer beds as a result of the fire, with part of the west wing out of action and a number of services still disrupted and displaced across the hospital site.
Andy Hyett, chief operating officer at UHS, said the opening of the two units would not have been possible without the hard work and determination of staff to get services back for patients as quickly as possible.
He said: “Bringing patients who require these important diagnostic tests back is a real milestone in our recovery, which would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff.
“We appreciate the impact the disruption caused by the fire has had on our patients and are grateful for their understanding and support during the past ten weeks while we have delivered as much of the service as possible, in a different way.
“Our focus has always been on returning as much of this service, as quickly, safely and efficiently as we can. This is the first step in bringing our patients and staff back together at UHS, while the trust works on rebuilding the fire damaged area and creating a permanent home for endoscopy services in the future.”
Kat Black, specialist medicine matron, said: “This has been an exceptionally difficult period for everyone. We’ve faced uncertainty, ongoing pressure, and moments that have truly tested our resilience. What stands out most is how we have worked together, as a team, never losing sight of what matters most – our patients.
“Even at our most challenging times, we have seen unwavering professionalism, kindness, and compassion. Colleagues across the organisation have gone above and beyond and we want to thank everyone who has supported us.”
Work is now under way on land at Adanac Park to open three further three mobile endoscopy units in June, to increase capacity and efficiency overall while the trust works to recover from the fire and create a permanent new home for the endoscopy department.