Maternity patients in Canberra are still being diverted from Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce, after an electrical fire caused parts of the hospital to be evacuated yesterday.
Fire crews extinguished a small blaze at the hospital's operating theatre complex, which broke out around midday on Tuesday.
Several people were evacuated, none were injured, but the aftermath has caused major problems.
On Tuesday afternoon, the hospital's emergency department remained open, but only for urgent cases. Patients with non-life-threatening medical issues were being encouraged to go to Canberra Hospital's emergency department.
Ambulances were also bypassing Calvary Hospital, taking patients to Canberra Hospital instead.
On Wednesday morning, the hospital announced that the Calvary emergency department was no longer being bypassed by ambulances and was accepting patients once more.
But Calvary maternity patients are still being diverted to the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children or Calvary John James Hospital.
The maternity ward at Calvary was reportedly preparing to evacuate before the fire was brought under control, but it was not required.
The operating theatre complex remains closed and staff are working to reschedule elective surgeries.
The Emergency Services Agency said firefighters believed the electrical fire started in the roof cavity.
It was reported in the hospital's Xavier Building about half an hour later, and the sprinkler system was activated.
Mary Potter Circuit – the road which loops around the hospital – was closed off by police with only emergency vehicles allowed in, but it was later reopened.
ACT Health took to Twitter to ask for patience while the incident was handled.
"There has been some disruption to services and we ask the community to be patient with Calvary staff while they continue responding to the incident," it said.
"All steps are being taken to ensure the safety of staff and patients."
