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In February 2022, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) was issued with a ‘fire safety matters’ notice by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIOWFRS) due to a number of fire safety issues.
A fire safety improvement action plan is in place to address these issues and improvements are being delivered, as reported in a Board of Directors meeting which took place on November 28.
The report continues to say that the risk “remains significant due to the volume of work still required and the impact of the requirements of the Building Safety Act (2022) on the delivery of this work.”
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According to the report, if the Trust does not comply with fire safety regulations “then there may be regulatory action. This also includes the development of the Trust fire safety culture.”
In place is a fire policy, fire training, fire safety improvement action plan, Partnership Primary Authority Scheme with HIOWFRS.
It states that “all high-risk compartmentation areas [have been] surveyed to identify issues and allow planned rectification works.”
A number of gaps in control are highlighted including “Estate issues with compartmentation, fire alarm configuration and fire safety culture.”
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Furthermore, an “oversight of fire safety on Estates projects, oversight of contractors [and] capital requirements” have been highlighted and Impact of Building Safety Act requirements on progression of works and prioritisation of activity.
A spokesperson for HIOWFRS said: “Our inspection team carried out a fire safety audit for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), identifying a number of issues which the hospital is working to rectify.
“We have formed a Primary Authority Partnership with HHFT, allowing us to work proactively together ensuring that their buildings are fully compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.”
The Gazette has contacted HHFT for a comment.
