Emergency crews cleanup chemical incident at Watford General Hospital

Emergency services rushed to a Chemical crisis in the Women’s and Children’s building at Watford Herts Hospital maternity building.

4 Fire Rescue crews from Garston, Hemel Hempstead and Watford, along with one decontamination and environment protection unit with about a dozen personnel, Incident Response unit, paramedics and other specialist teams to deal with the Hazardous Materials Operation.

A cleaner had accidentally mixed some cleaning fluids, they reacted which caused a mini explosion. Someone had breathing difficulties and were sent to Accident and Emergency department.

Several Police officers are assisting.

The Ophthalmology Department clinic, and Maternity wards restricted access.

Items were seen being removed and put into plastic bags.

A hospital representative did say staff and patients are safe. Adding a press release will follow. They were not keen that reporters were present, and regularly ask our reported if they could not take photos.

At 3pm an Official Statement made by the hospital.

Incident in Women’s and Children’s building, Watford General Hospital

We would like to reassure the public that we are working closely with our partners in Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service to coordinate a response to an incident in the Women’s and Children’s building at Watford General Hospital this morning.

The incident was caused by the accidental spillage of cleaning fluids. Some people were treated for the effects in our emergency department.

It has not been necessary to evacuate patients and there is no disruption to the emergency department (A&E) which remains open.

Women in labour or requiring urgent care should still arrive as usual where they will be escorted into the Women’s and Children’s building.

If you have a maternity, paediatric or ophthalmology appointment this afternoon, please assume it is going ahead but be prepared for a delay to your appointment time.

We would like to thank our staff, police and fire and rescue colleagues for their prompt and efficient response.

Hertfordshire County Council has confirmed a cleaning chemicals spill occurred at the hospital. 

Thanks to Adam Tungatt who alerted the news via twitter this morning.

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