A remediation company from Halifax has been contracted to clean up water damage after a pipe burst early Saturday morning in Building B at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
Health authority spokesman Fraser Mooney says the nasty weather is believed to have been the cause.
“We’re still assessing exactly what the cause of it was, but it certainly seems that it was due to the high winds that may have opened up a panel on the upper floor that allowed the cold temperatures to get in to freeze the pipe, caused it to burst, then a tremendous amount of water flowed down through all five floors, so it certainly was believed to be weather related. “
Mooney says the damage is pretty extensive.
“It affected pretty much every section of the middle section of the Yarmouth Hospital. The water went down through all five floors and into the basement. Primarily the areas that have been affected were many of the doctors offices, the Public Health Offices, Mental Health and Addictions as well.”
He says they are still assessing the impact.
“But we expect that a number of offices and services may need to be relocated in the next few days so we certainly want patients and staff and the public to know that some of the offices or where they would normally go for an appointment might change over the next couple of days.”
Mooney says they are very lucky that the water did not damage any of the sensitive medical equipment.
“Diagnostic Imaging is working to get back to business as usual but because of some of the clean-up that’s going on, probably a number of appointments will have to be rescheduled over the next few days. We’re still assessing that, but patients will be contacted if there’s going to be any changes.”
He says family and friends who may wish to visit patients are reminded that there is a major clean-up underway.
“So getting from one part of the hospital to the other is not going to be as easy as it normally is. There’s going to be some areas that are blocked off. The damage did not affect any of our in-patient units so people coming to visit a family member or loved one are certainly encouraged to do so but at the same time, if it’s not absolutely necessary to come to the hospital, maybe if you don’t have to come, try to stay away, except for emergency situations of course, at least for the next few days.”
Mooney says they have no estimate yet on the cost of the clean-up and repairs.
‘We’re still assessing the damage. The cleaning crews are here and have been on site since yesterday. We actually did have an insurance adjuster on site. Really, we’re not going to have a good sense of what the cost of all of this will be probably for some time but certainly the clean-up will be the major part of the cost of this.”
Mooney says the Emergency Department remains open.
Those with an appointment at the Yarmouth Hospital are asked to call first. The switchboard number is 902-742-3541.
