Mopping up after flood at Hull Hospital could take up to 10 days
Surgery schedule expected to return to normal Monday, health officials say
Mopping up after a major flood at the Hull Hospital could take between two and 10 days, health officials told a news conference Friday.
The Outaouais integrated health and social services centre (CISSS de l'Outaouais) said repairs will continue over the weekend to return operations to normal as quickly as possible. A contractor accidentally ruptured a pipe Thursday, flooding five floors.
Video footage of the flooding showed water gushing from the ceilings of the fourth floor and cascading down staircases.
After 10 surgeries were cancelled Thursday, CISSS de l'Outaouais said in a news release some surgeries are still being delayed, but some could go ahead later Friday. Surgeries are expected to return to normal on Monday.
The first and third floors require the most repairs, while the fifth, fourth and second floors require minimal work, to be done over the next few days.
Officials also confirmed the presence of asbestos on the fourth floor.
CISSS de l'Outaouais president and CEO Jean Hébert thanked hospital staff who he said have been working "day and night" to continue delivering care under difficult circumstances.