Conquest patients diverted 20 miles after unit shut

MORE than 100 patients were diverted 20 miles away to Eastbourne after the Conquest's A&E unit was shut.

An annual inspection on Wednesday revealed that one of the hospital's two incinerator chimneys was structurally unsafe so managers decided to close A&E to new patients for safety reasons.

Ambulances and patients were diverted to other hospitals such as Eastbourne's DGH.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Firefighters from Hastings spent more than two hours at the Conquest on Wednesday evening from 7.15pm to 9.45pm cordoning off the affected parts, as well as evacuating patients and staff from A&E and pathology.

A spokesman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said fire crews received calls about the 'unsafe' chimney and building inspectors were later called in.

Workmen were drafted in yesterday morning (Thursday) to repair the chimney following a visit from the county building inspector.

The A&E department was set to be reopened in the afternoon as the Observer went to press.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Margaret Williams, chairman of Hands off the Conquest, said: "Why did they (bosses) have to close A&E? It seems very unfair on patients because a lot will drive to A&E only to find it is closed and then have to travel all the way to Eastbourne.

"I'm sure something more could have been done to accommodate patients but safety has to come first."

A hospital spokesman said: "The Emergency Department at the Conquest was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure due to a structural issue within the industrial section of the hospital site. This included A&E and the Emergency Admission Assessment Units.

"The situation was quickly under control and no patients were at risk.

"Plans were put in place for Eastbourne DGH and other acute trusts in the area to receive patients requiring emergency care."