This has meant some patients have been moved to nearby hospitals including Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke, while GP practices, community providers and local authorities, are working hard to ensure people can get the appropriate care closer to home.
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board declared a system-wide major incident following the fire, which took place on Sunday morning (1 February).
Dr Lara Alloway, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “Thanks to the amazing efforts of emergency services and our teams in Southampton, the fire was put out and patients quickly moved to safety.
“The teams at Southampton General Hospital are now working hard with the support of all partners across Hampshire to get services back running as normal as quickly as possible.
“However, I need to be really clear, the impact of the fire is not over.
“The long-term knock-on effects of the loss of bed space in Southampton, and the increased demand at other hospitals as a result, will last for some time and be felt much wider than the Southampton area.
“This will create significant challenges for all our services at what is already one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS."
A number of wards in Southampton remain closed due to fire, smoke or water damage, and while these issues are resolved, the NHS urges everyone in Hampshire and Isle of Wight to help by following this advice:
- Please only attend your local emergency department (ED) if your condition poses a risk to life or limb.
- If you’re unsure what service to use visit 111 online or call 111 for advice and the team will get you to the right help.
- Continue to use your local GP and community pharmacy services as normal.
- Think Pharmacy First for minor illness. They can also now offer prescription medicine for seven common conditions (where appropriate) without the need to see a GP.
- Urgent Treatment Centres and Minor Injuries Units can help with injuries and illnesses that need urgent medical attention but aren’t life threatening.
- Actively support hospital discharge plans when loved ones are ready to return home. This is so important to free up vital beds for those in urgent need of care.
- Norovirus continues to circulate - please only visit loved ones in hospital if you’re well
For residents who use services at University Hospital Southampton, please visit the trust’s website for the latest updates on the impact on their site and services.