'Critical incident' declared at Queen Alexandra Hospital following the failure of chiller units

A critical incident has been declared at Queen Alexandra Hospital following the failure of several chiller units supporting critical infrastructure caused by the soaring temperatures which has smashed 40 degrees.

The loss of cooling capacity led to increased temperatures in a number of areas across the Trust, affecting digital systems and critical clinical services, including theatres, cardiac catheter laboratories (cath labs), and diagnostic scanning facilities.

This saw office based staff urged to work from home, with lights and non essential equipment also being turned off to reduce the pressure on the chillers battling the record-breaking temperatures.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said engineers are this afternoon on site working to restore affected systems and minimise disruption to patient care.  It said some planned care and appointments have been stood down until the issues have been resolved, with affected patients being contacted.

Mark Orchard, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, said: "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.”

If attending an appointment, the trust has said to limit the number of people with you and to ensure you bring plenty of water as the hospital is very hot.

Meanwhile, hundreds of schools across the county will again remain shut or close their doors early again tomorrow (June 25) as a result of the high temperatures which has seen them keep pupils away today.

It comes as the record for the UK’s hottest June day has been broken on Wednesday with temperatures of 36.1C recorded in Gosport, the Met Office said.

Unofficial records also showed that Hayling Island recorded a highs of 40.8 degrees this afternoon, with other areas the mid to late 30s - with similar temperatures expected tomorrow. Teachers’ union NASUWT has previously also urged a legally enforceable maximum classroom temperature to be set.

A Portsmouth City Council spokesperson said: "We are in contact with schools and have shared national Department for Education guidance, which includes practical advice on managing extreme heat, such as keeping buildings cool and supporting pupils’ wellbeing during hot weather.

“School crossing patrols will not be operating during the afternoon school run while temperatures remain high, to help protect their safety.”

But the Education Secretary has urged parents to send children to school if they remain open, warning “every day of absence and lesson missed has a cost”.

The county’s recycling centres will again close at lunchtime tomorrow, with the Met Office’s red heat alert remaining in place until the evening, with temperatures expected to return to normal on Friday.

Meanwhile, drivers are being warned that roads could become soft or even start to melt as the heatwave continues, with surface temperatures expected to climb to 60°C in some places.

While air temperatures may be much lower, dark road surfaces absorb heat and can become hot enough for tarmac to soften and break up. This can leave roads uneven and create difficult driving conditions for motorists, with gritters on standby to make temporary repairs.

This has already caused problems on the A3, with a land closure in place between Horndean and Petersfield where the road surface is already damaged.

Public transport has also been hit with rail services switched to a reduced timetable, and extra measures in place on the buses to help passangers.

Yesterday (June 23) a bus driver also received medical treatment after overheating on a vehicle which did not have air conditioning.

A spokesperson for First Bus said, "We can confirm that yesterday a driver did feel unwell while on duty during the period of hot weather. As a precaution, an ambulance was called to assess the situation. Following this, the driver was safely returned to the depot and did not require any further medical treatment.

"The wellbeing of our colleagues and customers is our highest priority, particularly during periods of extreme weather. We have a number of measures in place to support our teams during hot conditions. This includes providing bottled water to drivers to help them remain hydrated, while our management teams are actively present across depots and the network offering additional support, including refreshments such as ice creams and ice lollies.

"We continue to work closely with our driving teams to ensure they are supported throughout these challenging conditions. Our drivers are also helping to look after customers by encouraging them to step off the bus for fresh air during short waiting periods where it is safe to do so, and they remain vigilant throughout their journeys. Any concerns are promptly reported to our control teams so that assistance can be provided where required.

"In terms of our fleet, we operate 134 buses across the Solent region, with approximately 97 per cent equipped with air conditioning to support passenger comfort during warmer weather.

"We will continue to monitor conditions closely and take appropriate steps to support both our colleagues and customers."

Essential businesses are also taking measures to keep staff and customers safe, including Wightlink which has remained busy this week.

A spokesperson said: “We have sent out companywide alerts to our colleagues and we supply water, suncream, hats and actively encourage job rotation and managers keep an eye on staff wellbeing to ensure everyone is okay.

“Our teams are mindful of passengers being comfortable and coping in the extreme heat and are doing all they can to support our customers.”

Faulty chillers are also causing issues at the office complex at Lakeside in Portsmouth where a large number of businesses are based, with engineers called to make repairs.

Some businesses have been offering their services as places to keep cool for those struggling with the heat.

This includes the team at Wimborne Care Home on Hayling Island offering ‘a swelter shelter’, in an initiative to welcome older people and anyone feeling the effects of the hot weather to relax, rehydrate and enjoy some company during the hottest part of the day.

General manager, Stephen Stace said; “Heatwaves can be particularly challenging for older people and those living alone. We wanted to offer a safe, cool and welcoming space where members of the community can escape the heat. Stay hydrated and enjoy some companionship. Nobody should have to struggle through the hottest days on their own.”