NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board declared a system-wide major incident following the fire at Southampton General Hospital on Sunday morning (1st February 2026).
The fire has forced some patients to move to nearby hospitals including Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke. GP practices, community providers and local authorities are working hard to ensure people can get the appropriate care closer to home.
Emergency services praised for swift response
Dr Lara Alloway, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Chief Medical Officer, said,
“Thanks to the amazing efforts of emergency services and our teams in Southampton, the fire was put out and patients quickly moved to safety.”
She added,
“The teams at Southampton General Hospital are now working hard with the support of all partners across Hampshire to get services back running as normal as quickly as possible.”
However, Dr Alloway warned,
“I need to be really clear, the impact of the fire is not over.”
Long-term impact expected across region
Dr Alloway continued,
“The long-term knock-on effects of the loss of bed space in Southampton, and the increased demand at other hospitals as a result, will last for some time and be felt much wider than the Southampton area.
“This will create significant challenges for all our services at what is already one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS.”
A number of wards in Southampton remain closed due to fire, smoke or water damage.
Public urged to help reduce pressure on services
While staff resolve these issues, the NHS urges everyone in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight to only attend their local emergency department if their condition poses a risk to life or limb.
People who feel unsure about which service to use should visit 111 online or call 111 for advice, where the team will direct them to the right help.
Residents should continue to use their local GP and community pharmacy services as normal.
Alternative services available
The NHS recommends people think Pharmacy First for minor illness, as pharmacies can now offer prescription medicine for seven common conditions (where appropriate) without the need to see a GP.
Urgent Treatment Centres and Minor Injuries Units can help with injuries and illnesses that need urgent medical attention but aren’t life threatening.
The NHS asks people to actively support hospital discharge plans when loved ones are ready to return home, as this will free up vital beds for those in urgent need of care.
Norovirus concerns continue
Norovirus continues to circulate at hospitals, so the NHS asks people to only visit loved ones in hospital if they are well.
Residents who use services at University Hospital Southampton should visit the trust’s website for the latest updates on the impact on their site and services.
