Phone torches used during surgery in power cut

Surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital halted a spinal operation due to a power cut, which required staff to rely on mobile phone torches for visibility. This incident was uncovered during a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission, which revealed ongoing maintenance failures in operating theatres that have led to delays and cancellations of surgeries. While the hospital maintained that battery-powered surgical lights were operational, the surrounding staff still faced significant challenges during the procedure. The trust confirmed that corrective actions were taken after the power cut, but ongoing infrastructure issues continue to affect patient safety and timely care. The electrical system's design faults contributed to the incident, prompting the hospital to consider urgent safety measures.

Despite these challenges, Great Ormond Street Hospital remains committed to prioritizing patient safety, with the affected patient reportedly doing well. The hospital serves around 76,000 children annually and has received a "good" overall rating, although governance issues in some specialties were noted. The situation underscores the critical need for reliable infrastructure in healthcare facilities to ensure patient safety.