Staff worked through the early hours today to clean up parts of Walsall Manor Hospital which were flooded during last night’s storms.

The entrance to Ward 29 and a rear entrance near to the Intensive Care Unit were worst affected with West Midlands Fire Service called to pump out water and ensure electrical safety on site.

Flooding also occurred outside the emergency theatre and a staff coffee room area and the emergency team was relocated to another theatre area within the hospital to continue to provide emergency cover. This meant operations on emergency patients were able to continue throughout the night.

Repairs have been carried out this morning allowing the team to return to theatre areas.

Some debris is still being cleared which will mean minor disruption to staff and visitors accessing the hospital. A temporary entrance is in operation and General Office remains open.Ned Hobbs, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Chief Operating Officer and Lead Director for Estates, said: “I’d firstly like to thank West Midlands Fire Service for their invaluable help and guidance last night as well as our Estates and Facilities colleagues, IT team, staff from support services and clinical areas, porters, switchboard and Skanska who all pitched in to help clear up well past midnight and into the early hours.

“Storm drains overflowed due to the sheer volume of rain water and hail that fell on Walsall during last night’s storm just after 8pm and water also came through the ceiling above theatres and our Acute Medical Unit. None of our patients were affected by the flood and they were cared for and supported as normal throughout.

“There may be some slight disruption for patients attending hospital today and we thank them for their understanding at this time.”