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05/04/2007
'Unusual smell' forces closure of A&E unit
The accident and emergency unit at London's Royal Free Hospital was forced to close for six hours on Wednesday after eight staff members fell ill.
Some of the employees received medical treatment and parts of the lower floors of the hospital in Hampstead, north London, were evacuated after an "unusual smell" was noticed in the area.
Fire crews were called in to investigate and the A&E unit remained closed for six hours while the investigation was carried out.
However, the fire crew could find no cause of the smell and the unit was reopened shortly after midnight.
It is not known what caused the staff to feel ill nor what their symptoms were.
The hospital said that all normal activities had been resumed.
A statement issued by the hospital said: "Eight members of staff earlier reported feeling unwell after experiencing an unusual smell and some of these have required medical treatment.
"The trust has been working closely with London Fire Brigade's scientific support unit but no cause has been established and the fire service has withdrawn.
"The A&E department was closed to ambulances for about six hours but has now reopened."
(KMcA/JM)
Some of the employees received medical treatment and parts of the lower floors of the hospital in Hampstead, north London, were evacuated after an "unusual smell" was noticed in the area.
Fire crews were called in to investigate and the A&E unit remained closed for six hours while the investigation was carried out.
However, the fire crew could find no cause of the smell and the unit was reopened shortly after midnight.
It is not known what caused the staff to feel ill nor what their symptoms were.
The hospital said that all normal activities had been resumed.
A statement issued by the hospital said: "Eight members of staff earlier reported feeling unwell after experiencing an unusual smell and some of these have required medical treatment.
"The trust has been working closely with London Fire Brigade's scientific support unit but no cause has been established and the fire service has withdrawn.
"The A&E department was closed to ambulances for about six hours but has now reopened."
(KMcA/JM)
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A London hospital which was forced to close its accident and emergency unit when eight employees fell ill because of an "unusual smell" has admitted that 11 other workers became unwell two days earlier. The A&E unit at London's Royal Free Hospital was forced to close for six hours on Wednesday after eight members of staff fell ill.
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