Victoria Jubilee Hospital relocates surgical services following small fire

By Kimone Witter    

 

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Dr. Natalie Whylie, has hailed the quick action of staff in minimising the damage from a fire at the facility on Friday morning.

 

The cause of the fire, which started about 3:15 a.m., is under investigation.

 

Dr. Whylie says the small blaze was confined to an administrative office in the operating theatre suite.

 

It has resulted in the temporary relocation of surgical services. 

 

"The fire was quickly extinguished, and the fire brigade was quick on the scene, and they also concluded the cooldown exercises. We had two staff members who had to be treated at the emergency room of the Kingston Public Hospital for smoke inhalation," she reported, while noting that no mother or baby was hurt in the incident. 

 

Dr. Whylie said previous fire safety training from the Jamaica Fire Brigade assisted the team on duty in responding to the incident. 

 

"There are two team members who assisted with extinguishing the fires. We have had recent fire warning training, and the team really worked to ensure that the fire was put out, and certainly the patients were not put at risk, and also that the services of the national maternity hospital continues," she said.

 

Some documents, equipment and furniture have been damaged.