MATERNITY services at Basingstoke hospital are beginning to return to normal.

After reports of a fire in the neonatal unit, firefighters were called out at 9.25pm on Monday night (January 28) but the incident turned out to be a false alarm caused by smoke or steam coming from a overheated pump.

No babies were harmed in the incident and were safely transferred to elsewhere in the hospital.

The maintenance issues has been resolved but the area is being deep-cleaned with normal services yet to resume fully.

Today, Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and Andover War Memorial Hospital, said: “The maintenance issues that led to the temporary relocation of the neonatal unit at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital have now been resolved. The area is currently being deep cleaned and normal service will resume as soon as possible.

“The care and treatment of babies on the neonatal unit has been unaffected, but while it remains in a different area of the hospital, we are taking the extra precaution of asking women who have been under the care of a consultant during their pregnancy to birth at Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

“Obstetricians and paediatricians remain available at Basingstoke hospital and the maternity unit is open for women who have had midwife-led care throughout their pregnancy, with midwives working on our labour line service advising women appropriately when they call.

“Women who are not in labour but would like to speak to somebody about the options available should either call 07920 117968 or email Hilary.Goodman@hhft.nhs.uk.

“Further updates will be provided as they become available.”