Water leak at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (27 April)

There has been a large water leak within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, nobody has been hurt but there are some disruptions to services.

Update on our services (updated 10.00am on 29 April):

  • All scanning appointments are going ahead as normal, more details can be found here.
  • Antenatal appointments are going ahead as normal, more details can be found here.
  • All routine inpatient and day case procedures are going ahead as normal.
  • All gynaecology outpatient appointments at Doncaster Royal Infirmary cancelled, except urgent and colposcopy clinics. Bassetlaw services running as normal. More details can be found here.
  • Our Emergency Departments are operating as normal – if you need urgent and emergency care please attend.

Physical changes to our site (update 4.30pm on 30 April):

  • The Neonatal Unit is relocated to the former Children’s Ward on Level 4 of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (W&CH). It retains the same contact number.
  • The Children’s Ward is relocated to the Enhanced Recovery Unit (now renamed the Children’s Ward), which is on the basement level of South Block. It will retain the same contact number.
  • M1 returns to the normal place, while M2 will be relocated to what was G5 (level 5 of the W&CH). They will retain the same numbers.
  • G5 will relocate to what was Mallard Ward. It will retain the same number.

Updated at 10.55pm (27 April): David Purdue, Chief Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “At around 5.30pm on Tuesday 27 April, a large water leak occurred within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, unfortunately making contact with some electrical mains. Thankfully, nobody was harmed, and we began to evacuate the building.

“Following established contingency plans, 67 patients were safely and securely relocated to neighbouring wards on site, whilst some of those receiving care within our Neonatal Unit were escorted via a specialist service to other hospitals within the region.

“Since this time, power has been safely restored to some sections of the building, and a number of services returned. While a full investigation will take place, the damage looks to be quite extensive in the affected areas, and we will begin repair works as soon as possible. We ask patients to check our website www.dbth.nhs.uk for further updates, as well as any changes to affected appointments and clinics in the coming days.

“Finally, I would like to share my thanks with colleagues who reacted calmly, decisively, and professionally this evening – typifying the very best of the NHS.”

Updated at 8.00pm (27 April): David Purdue, Chief Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Due a large water leak within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, we have evacuated the area and safely moved patients. Nobody has been hurt and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are planning to vacate the site.

“As a result, we are carrying out established contingency plans as appropriate, meaning that patients have now been safely and securely relocated into neighbouring wards on site, whilst those receiving care within the Neonatal Unit are being prepared to be escorted via ambulance to other hospitals within the region. For the next few hours we are diverting admissions to our site at Bassetlaw Hospital, as well as nearby providers. Parents, guardians and family will be contacted to let them know what is happening.

“Following investigations, we believe we will be able to use around half of the building later this evening once power has been restored. We will update on our position in the coming hours when our investigations are complete.”