The Isle of Wight NHS Trust this week published its annual Fire Safety Report at the Trust Board meeting held in public on Wednesday (5th July).
In the light of the tragic Grenfell Tower incident there has been increased interest in fire safety in public buildings including hospitals.
At the Trust Board meeting on Wednesday, Maggie Oldham, Interim Chief Executive Officer at Isle of Wight NHS Trust confirmed the Trust’s position:
“Following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower and the instruction to the NHS to review fire safety, we have asked for the support of IW Fire and Rescue Service to review property owned by Isle of Wight NHS Trust including St. Mary’s Hospital. We have no reason to believe at this stage that there is anything to worry about however it is important we get this view independently tested which will include cladding at the St Mary’s site.
“The cladding used on buildings on the St. Mary’s Hospital site is different from that used on Grenfell Tower. No sampling has been undertaken as assurances have been given by the manufacturers as to the fire resistance nature of the cladding used.
“We have upgraded our fire safety processes and systems over the years which include the upgrading of the fire compartments within the hospital to reduce the likelihood of a fire spreading rapidly throughout the hospital environment. We have a system of Fire Wardens, regular drills are held, all staff are expected to undertake routine fire safety awareness training and there are multiple exits across all buildings.”
Jon Burwell, Director of Strategy and Planning added:
“The Trust has a long standing working relationship with Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue and undertaken regular joint training exercises. We have now met with the Fire and Rescue Service who have provided reassurance that our current practice for fire safety is robust. Following our own review of documentation and technical guidance regarding our cladding and discussion with the Fire Service, there is evidence that the Trust’s external cladding is not of the material that was used at Grenfell Tower.
Article continues below this advertisement “We do not propose to undertake further testing of the cladding at this stage.”
You can download the latest Fire Safety Report from the Trust’s website at https://www.iow.nhs.uk/Publications/fire-safety-report.htm.
