London hospital cancels urgent blood tests after collapsed ceiling causes building to flood
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The blood department at a South London hospital was forced to close on Monday due to significant flooding linked to the poor state of the building. Patients at St Helier in Sutton were shocked to learn that their appointments had to be rescheduled at short notice due to widespread flooding in the phlebotomy service on the ground floor of Ferguson House.
It is understood that the flooding was caused by a partial ceiling collapse. As a result, many patients have had their blood tests delayed for several days while essential works are undertaken. Some urgent blood tests went ahead, however most patients have been told to visit Epsom General Hospital, Jubilee Health Centre in Wallington, or Malvern Centre in Sutton if they require urgent tests.
A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust apologised to those affected, saying: “We apologise to any patients who have had their blood tests or audiology appointments cancelled at St Helier today due to flooding. “Routine blood tests will resume from tomorrow, and patients can reschedule their appointment or attend a walk-in clinic if urgent. We are working to resume audiology appointments as soon as possible and are contacting any patients affected.”.
Patients with blood tests booked for Tuesday should report to the phlebotomy reception as normal. However, many remain concerned that the building’s deteriorating state will lead to more uncertainty in the future. The poor state of St Helier Hospital has been the subject of recent scrutiny. Some buildings predate the NHS itself and patients have voiced concern over broken ceiling tiles and drip-catching buckets.
