THE fire service has said it has entered into a ‘partnership’ with the trust that runs Basingstoke hospital to ensure it is safe and that patients and staff can be evacuated during an emergency.

As previously reported, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) visited the hospital, in Aldermaston Road, and raised concerns about equipment in corridors and outside lifts creating a fire hazard, which it said could impact the evacuation of patients and staff during an emergency.

READ MORE: Equipment stored in Basingstoke hospital corridors causing 'fire hazard'

A spokesperson for HIWFRS said it has now entered into a partnership with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) to ensure it is “fully compliant” with fire safety.

They added: “A fire safety audit was carried out at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital earlier this year by one of our inspectors.

“The hospital has taken steps to rectify issues identified, including a concern over equipment being stored in corridors.

“Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has now entered into a Primary Authority Partnership with HIWFRS, so that we can work proactively together in the future to ensure that the hospital is fully compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.”

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HHFT published details in a report about some of the actions it has taken since the audit, including setting up a new working group of key staff from across the trust to resolve the issue.

It said: “The responsibility for safe storage of resources and equipment and keeping emergency routes and exits clear sits with all staff.”

The trust reported that seven per cent of recent health and safety incidents were slips, trips or falls which it said are “often avoidable if routes are kept clear and spillages cleaned up promptly”.

A poster has been designed to support staff in keeping hospital corridors safe and is available for staff to download to put up in the corridors at both Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Following a recent scheduled audit by the fire service to our Basingstoke hospital, possible issues were identified due to equipment being stored in corridors. We have since taken steps to ensure the safer storage of resources and equipment at all sites.”