Evacuated patients have been able to return to their wards after a bomb scare on Friday morning.
Around 5am police, the fire service, and army specialists swarmed St James' Hospital following reports of "suspicious devices" being found outside of the Gledhow Wing. A man reportedly had a gun and a 27-year-old was arrested and remains in custody.
Patients and staff were evacuated and areas of the hospital were inaccessible for over 14 hours. Mr Steve Bush, who is Medical Director (Operations), at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, confirmed around 4.47pm that the incident has been "stood down" but a cordon remains in place while police enquiries continue.
Read more: Gunman with suspicious device' arrested outside Leeds hospital as he is quizzed by police
Bush said: "The critical incident at St James’s Hospital has been stood down. Police and specialist services remain on site as the investigation is ongoing. We'd like to thank our patients and the public for their patience and understanding during this matter.
"We want to wholeheartedly thank our staff and the Emergency Services for their dedication and commitment to ensure we have been able to keep everyone safe. Patients who were evacuated are being moved back to their wards. It may be some time before we are back to business as usual in these areas, so please bear with us."
He added: "Our patient helpline has been stood down and visiting has resumed as normal across Gledhow wing and Lincoln wing. Unfortunately some patient appointments were cancelled as a result of today's incident and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused - these will be rearranged as soon as possible.
"A cordon remains in place outside Gledhow wing whilst the police investigation continues, but has now been reduced to allow greater access to the hospital. The front entrance to Gledhow wing will remain closed for the rest of the day so please continue to use alternative entrances through Alma Street (Bexley wing entrance) or Gledhow Road."
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