News / Bristol Royal Infirmary
Patients evacuated after ‘critical incident’ declared at BRI
The emergency department at the BRI was closed for much of Friday following a power outage at the hospital.
More than a dozen patients had to be avacuated to other locations after a “critical incident” was declared at 3.40pm, with numerous fire engines rushing to the scene.
An emergency backup generator later arrived at the hospital on Upper Maudlin Street thanks to a police escort through the city.
is needed now More than ever
At 9.18pm, UHBW NHS Trust interim chief medical officer, Dr Rebecca Maxwell, said: “Our adult Emergency Department is now open to urgent walk-in patients. Our Children’s Emergency Department remains open to both ambulances and walk-in patients.
“If you have a life threatening emergency please dial 999, for any other urgent medical advice please use NHS 111.
“Some of our sites continue to be impacted by the power outage and we are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.”
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On Friday afternoon, members of the public were told to stay away from the BRI and other Bristol city centre hospitals “until the incident is resolved and use alternative services in the area”.
The incident is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault at the BRI.
Reports of a collapsed ceiling in the A&E department have not been confirmed but 13 patients were moved to other hospitals to be treated.
Main photo & video: Rachel Sutherland
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