Vape and cigarette warning after patient is injured in fire
Hospital leaders have issued an urgent safety warning after a patient set herself on fire after it is believed she vaped in her hospital bed while wearing an oxygen mask.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) is reminding all patients and visitors that smoking is not allowed anywhere on site, while vaping is not allowed in its buildings or outside its doorways.
The Trust has shared images showing the aftermath of the fire as it issued its warning. It happened as a woman in her 50s was being treated in a side room at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
The patient was left with burns to her head after the fire. It is alleged she had been vaping when the incident happened. The burn injuries have been treated, and the patient remains in the hospital as her care continues.
The photos show the heat of the blaze melted the oxygen mask and its tube into a blanket and bed sheet. The floor of the room was also left scorched.
Staff working on the ward have been praised for their quick actions. They turned the oxygen off and put out the fire with an extinguisher, stopping it from spreading and causing further injury and damage. The fire alarm in the area was set off by the heat and fumes.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue (TWFRS) visited the scene following the fire as enquiries were carried out, while Northumbria Police also supported the Trust.
The Trust has logged a series of incidents where vapes or smoking has been recorded on its sites.
On several occasions, those involved have been verbally abusive and refused to follow the rules.
In the last six months, six smoking incidents and 11 vaping incidents have been formally reported within the Trust’s hospital buildings. Fire alarms have been set off on a further three occasions. These have involved a cigarette, a vape and a cigar.
It comes as the Trust is finding its staff are facing increasing levels of abuse across all of its locations.
It is preparing to lead a campaign, No Excuse For Abuse. This will address the verbal and physical threats its staff face as they care for communities and urge people to think about the impact of their bad behaviour.
Jim Charlton is the Trust’s Fire Safety and Security Manager. He said:
“This shocking incident shows exactly why we ask our patients and visitors not to vape inside our buildings. We do that to keep everyone safe. This patient has been left injured by what happened, but it is fortunate it was not even more serious.
“Hospitals are a place of care, treatment and recuperation for those who need our help. Our staff should be able to work without fear of the damage and risk vapes and cigarettes cause.
“The staff on the ward where this incident happened are to be commended on their swift response. They turned off the oxygen and put out the fire with an extinguisher. All of those involved were fantastic.
"We will continue to remind patients and visitors about the fire risk of both vapes and cigarettes using this incident as a real-life example of the dangers they present."
Information about how STSFT is a smoke-free organisation can be found here:
