FIRE AT EAST HAM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

A fire occurred at East Ham Memorial Hospital at 10.15pm on Wednesday 2 January 2002. The hospital’s emergency evacuation plan was put immediately into action and patients and staff were evacuated. No one was hurt. The police and fire service attended the scene. The fire is thought to have started in linen cages which were external to the hospital on the ground floor in an area accessible to the public.The evacuation was carried out smoothly and calmly in accordance with the emergency plan. Staff are to be commended for their actions in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of patients. All fire safety mechanisms operated effectively and standards were commended by the fire service.The annexe to Purcell ward suffered extensive damage. The annexe has 7 beds. 3 patients have been transferred to wards in East Ham Memorial. 4 patients have been transferred to beds elsewhere in the Trust. Detailed planning is now in progress to ensure continuity of service provision to patients in the interim. Patient services at East Ham Memorial are due to transfer over to the new 117-bedded hospital, the Newham Centre for Mental Health, in May 2002