Heat back on at VG Hospital after latest problems with water
Posted Jan 7, 2016 04:13:51 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Radiators are back on at the Victoria General Hospital Thursday after a water leak caused more problems for the aging south-end facility.
A sixth-floor leak caused the hot water heating system to shut down on all 12 floors of the hospital on Tuesday, meaning forced air heating systems were brought in to keep patients warm in their rooms while repairs were done within the building.
Officials said the radiators were bled and are working properly again.
While no patients were directly affected, the leak did partially close an area where chemotherapy treatments are prepared, so that work has been moved to another part of the hospital.
The flood marks the third issue with water since September, when a massive flood postponed dozens of surgeries and caused extensive damage. A flood in December affected the hospital’s eye surgery department.
After a Liberal Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Health Minister Leo Glavine said the issues were very concerning but not surprising given the age of the infrastructure.
He assured the public that patients and staff are safe in the building, as protocols are in place for workplace safety.
“With each occurrence of another malfunction, they have to make sure that there is no health of staff or patients being compromised in the work areas,” Glavine said.
That’s why they are abandoned, each of those must go through a rigorous set of requirements.
Glavine said a plan will be put forward in mid-January for the future of the Halifax Infirmary as well as what will happen with the VG site.
