Tuesday 25 February 2014
Due to the need for essential maintenance work, there will be a four hour shut down of the water system in parts of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH) building on Friday 21st February. The areas affected will be Catering, Radiology, A&E, Day Patient Unit, Outpatients, CT/MRI, Victoria Wing, Loveridge and Frossard Wards.
This maintenance work is necessary to ensure that there is no future risk of a major leak which could cause extensive flooding to areas of the PEH. The cause of the problem is a leak in the main cold water supply pipe that is running from the hospital's main water tanks to the cold water booster pumps located in one of the plant rooms within the building.
In order to ensure as little inconvenience as possible is caused to patients and staff, the shutdown of hot and cold water supplies will only occur in one specific area of the hospital and for a limited time, from 21:00 until approximately 01:00.
A number of measures will be put in place to support staff and ensure that patients' needs are unaffected as far as possible during this time. Water for hand washing and drinking will be provided. Hand and face wipes will be distributed and portaloos will be available outside A+E department and outside the Porter's lodge entrance, for staff and visitors.
The Department is also taking this opportunity to shut the steam supply down at the same time. This work is required to transfer the new hospital boilers and steam header onto the hospital system to enable the removal and disposal of the old header. This work on the steam system will be undertaken by contractors while HSSD's own staff undertake the water system works.
The steam shutdown will affect all areas of the PEH, Continuing Care Wards and John Henry Court staff accommodation and will affect the availability of heating and hot water for a similar period. Again, the timing of this maintenance will ensure that inconvenience to staff and patients should be kept to a minimum.
ENDS
