University Statement : Oxford Hospitals Fire Safety

In response to today's announcement by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust concerning fire safety at its hospital sites, the University's Head of the Division of Medical Sciences, Professor Christopher Kennard, has written to staff. Professor Kennard's letter reads: Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London on 14 June 2017, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust conducted an immediate and thorough risk assessment of cladding on buildings at its four main Oxfordshire hospital sites, using specialist advisors. As a result of this work the Trust identified four buildings requiring closer examination. On the John Radcliffe Hospital site; the Trauma Unit and a small proportion of the office space occupied by University colleagues, and on the Churchill Hospital site; the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM) and the PET/CT Crick Building. There is no requirement to provide additional fire safety measures for the two buildings on the Churchill site. The Level 4 (Academic Centre) office area at the John Radcliffe will require new cladding to be put on the roof, but it has been deemed safe for continuing occupation while remedial work takes place. You may well see local or even national media reports later today which confirm that the Trauma Centre at John Radcliffe Hospital is being closed to inpatients.