By YASEMIN TALAT
STAFF at Werribee Mercy Hospital have been praised for their quick response to a fire that broke out at the hospital last week.
Just after lunch time last Monday 21 October the Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook appliances responded to the fire.
Hospital staff evacuated 28 staff members, eight patients and two visitors while another staff member extinguished the fire.
The fire was caused by an electrical fault in a patient call bell system located in the preparation room near the operating theatres.
Executive Director Health Services at Mercy Health, Linda Mellors, said the fault was identified after staff noticed the device was hot and was producing smoke.
“Our staff were very quick to detect and resolve the issue,” Ms Mellors said.
“Patients and staff in the immediate area were moved for their safety while the Metropolitan Fire Brigade attended,” she said.
“We also evacuated staff and visitors from nearby areas as a precautionary measure. Other than those in the immediate area, there was no need to move patients or staff from other inpatient clinical areas in the hospital.”
Ms Mellors said all patient call bells in the area were checked and no further issues were found.
Lieutenant Paul Ryan of the Werribee Brigade praised hospital staff for their action in moving all the people from the area and extinguishing the fire.
“Their swift action prevented further damage or injuries from a potentially serious event,” Lieutenant Ryan said.
