Hospital loses running water as staff warn 'it's crumbling'

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> The University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff > Pictures showing leaks and filthy areas at the UHW

hospital, many of them to do with its deteriorating condition.

The health board said the Wednesday incident involved a "cold water pump fault" in two tower blocks. This resulted in a loss of supply for around one hour from 4pm, while valve safeguards also prevented hot water flowing so there would be no scalding, said the spokeswoman.

But one staff member told us: "When the hot water came back on, it was absolutely scalding. You couldn't touch it. Surgeons had to scrub with bottled water."

Sewage leaking into the "TAL lounge", a patient waiting room, has been a recurring issue in recent years and happened again last Wednesday, December 3, our source added.

The health board responded: "The team continues to address historical drainage issues above the TAL lounge where sections of pipework have been replaced to improve flow and reduce blockages."

One employee said the loss of water had affected theatre staff's ability to clean their hands and equipment for operations. One anaesthetist summed up the team's feelings with the comment: "This place is beyond."

Last week also saw a ventilation failure in the theatres department.

A source said: "Ventilation was broken in theatres first thing Monday morning. It goes off at least once every two weeks.

"Ventilation is very important for removing viruses such as Covid-19, flu and other airborne particles."

The health board responded that its estate teams deals with any ventilation problems immediately "to minimise downtime".

Our source said the hospital's frequent leaks have led to thousands of pounds' worth of equipment, including anaesthetic machines, getting "drenched".

Staff also criticised the health board for initially failing to acknowledge Wednesday's water failure.