A SENIOR manager at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has praised the work of staff after a major incident in Southampton.

The Royal Hampshire County Hospital was forced to step in after all power, including the emergency generator, was lost at Southampton General Hospital last Wednesday.

Ambulances and patients were diverted to the RHCH in Winchester for several hours until power could be restored.

Royal Hampshire County Hospital RHCH exterior stock. Wednesday 17th September 2014.. Royal Hampshire County Hospital RHCH exterior stock. Wednesday 17th September 2014..

Julie Maskery, chief operating officer at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the RHCH, said: “The response of all of our staff, both clinical and non-clinical, and partners was magnificent. We have now been told that we will no longer be receiving diverted ambulances and I have therefore instructed the teams to stand down.

“As a result of the extra pressure placed on our services, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone all elective orthopaedic operations due to take place last Thursday November 29 at Winchester hospital.

“All other services will continue as normal. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and would like to thank our patients for their understanding.

She added: “All affected patients will be contacted and postponed operations will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”