Forth Valley Hospital suffers power cut during Storm Eowyn winds

Forth Valley Hospital suffered a power cut during the high winds of Storm Eowyn.

The hospital in Larbert suffered a brief power outage on Friday afternoon as hurricane-force winds battered much of Scotland amid a red alert from the Met Office.

The storm is expected to bring the most intense weather in recent history, with wind speeds of 100mph.

The health board confirmed the power was out before backup generators kicked in, and some of the hospital’s phone lines still experiencing issues until around 6pm.

A statement read: “Forth Valley Royal Hospital was affected by a brief power outage this afternoon, however power has been now restored to the site.

“There was a short period before the back-up generators came onstream, where contingency arrangements were required to be put in place across the site.

“Some phone lines into the hospital are affected but we are working with BT to restore these as quicky as possible.

“Please check our website or social media channels for further updates.

“We appreciate your patience and support as we work to resolve any outstanding issues as soon as possible.”

An update later on Friday read: “We’re pleased to announce all phonelines to Forth Valley Royal Hospital have now been restored. Thank you for your patience.”

It comes as hospitals across central Scotland cancelled outpatient appointments on Friday.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and NHS Fife cancelled outpatient procedures.

Forth Valley announced on Thursday it had postponed outpatient clinics, diagnostic tests and scans at local hospitals on Friday and aims to reschedule these as soon as possible.

It has also cancelled all vaccination clinics on Friday but said they would run as normal on Saturday.

The health board added that arrangements are being made for patients who are due to undergo surgery to attend earlier before the red weather alert comes into force.

Essential maternity, community nursing and midwifery community visits were set to go ahead as planned and pregnant women should continue to contact their midwife or our maternity assessment centre if they have any questions or concerns.