Staff and patients evacuated from Wishaw General Hospital as emergency services race to scene
Patients were wheeled out of the building on hospital beds with several visitors reporting chaos on social media
PATIENTS had to be evacuated in their hospital beds after a security alert sparked chaos at a Scottish hospital today.
Medics, nurses, members of the public and patients were all rushed out of Wishaw General Hospital, Lanarkshire, this afternoon.
Some patients had to be wheeled out on their beds as cops and staff secured the building.
A full search was carried out by officers after an alarm went off due to a fault.
A police spokeswoman said: "Around 4.40pm on Tuesday, officers from Police Scotland and other emergency services were alerted to an alarm activation at Wishaw General Hospital.
"Police officers attended and a search was carried out in conjunction with hospital security staff. The building was assessed as secure it was believed to be a system fault with the alarm.
"There was no impact on the health and safety of patients and normal hospital service resumed."
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Calum Campbell, chief executive at NHS Lanarkshire, said patients had now been returned to the wards.
He said: “Staff followed protocol, emergency services quickly attended and there was a partial evacuation of the building.
“Within the hour we had received confirmation that it was safe to re-enter the building and the hospital quickly returned to normal.
“We are investigating the cause of the alarm which is believed to be due to a fault with the system.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to patients and visitors and are pleased to report that there was no impact on the safety of patients as a result of this incident.”
Local MSP Monica Lennon tweeted: "I understand that patients affected by the Wishaw General evacuation are now back inside.
"Well done to all the staff keeping everyone safe."
SNP candidate Marion Fellows wrote on Facebook: "People evacuated from Wishaw General Hospital today have been taken back inside.
"Thankfully, the services have said there is no cause for concern."
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