Part of CUH evacuated after ceiling collapse

Part of Cork University Hospital (CUH) was evacuated and a small number of outpatient appointments were cancelled yesterday after a partial ceiling collapse in a busy clinic.

Several ceiling tiles gave way in the reception area of the ophthalmology outpatients department on the hospital’s ground floor near its emergency department just after 8.30am.

There were several patients waiting in the area at the time but there were no reports of any injuries. A spokesperson for the HSE described it as a very minor incident.

It is believed that a leaking pipe may have caused water damage to the tiles.

The incident resulted in substantial water damage to the reception area.

A unit of Cork City Fire Brigade responded to the Wilton campus and provided industrial fans to help dry out the clinic’s affected areas.

While a number of ophthalmology outpatients’ appointments were cancelled, there was no disruption to CUH’s casualty ophthalmology patients, and the service continued as normal.

Maintenance staff responded immediately and are replacing the damaged ceiling tiles.

Meanwhile, the HSE’s Eye, Ear and Throat, Erinville and Inniscarrig Centre campus on Western Rd has become a tobacco-free and electronic cigarette-free zone.

The ban applies to all staff, out-patients, visitors, contractors and any other person who enters the buildings or grounds. Anna Burns, a senior HSE health promotion officer for tobacco control, said a survey of staff and outpatients ahead of the ban found 95% support for a smoking ban on campus.

Miriam O’Shea, a smoking cessation officer with the HSE, said it was important that hospitals and health campuses provided an environment that was committed to wellness and illness prevention.