Hot water floods hospital basement

LERWICK’S Gilbert Bain Hospital was operating normally on Tuesday after a loose valve caused hot water to flood the building’s basement on Monday night.

NHS Shetland said patient services were not affected but the hot water supply was “sporadic” during the night and some flooring in the hospital’s basement mortuary would need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Problems arose when the hot water pipe valve came loose around 9.30pm reducing water pressure throughout the hospital.

Chief executive Sandra Laurenson said that staff ensured patient care continued uninterrupted and the local fire service attended to help with the clean up operation.

“The impact on patient care was really very minimal and the clean up operation happened very quickly,” Ms Laurenson said, thanking everyone who helped.