Power cut at RBH (Royal Berkshire Hospital) in Reading, as public urged to use alternative options, such as 111, GPs and pharmacies, if they can

UPDATE: 4.30pm – The power has now been restored and the hospital site is working as normal. However, the NHS trust said the hospital remains very busy and has urged people to use other care options, such as 111.nhs.uk, a pharmacy, GP or Reading’s Urgent Care Centre wherever possible.

1.25pm – A power cut is currently affecting the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

In a post on social media the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said it was “currently dealing with an external power incident that is affecting the Royal Berkshire Hospital site”.

It added: “We are working with the power company to restore power. If you have an appointment please still attend, unless otherwise advised.”

Anyone with an urgent non-emergency is being asked to use alternative options such as 111, a pharmacy, your GP or an urgent care centre, such as the one in Broad Street Mall, Reading.

Today (Monday), one patient took to Facebook to say that her surgery had been cancelled just as she was about to go into theatre.

“Someone cut through an electrical wire and the hospital is running on a generator,” she added. “Last week the internet went down and postponed then! At least I got a trial run!!!”

Last Thursday (December 14) the trust was hit by an “IT incident”.

At that time it asked the public to only go to the accident and emergency department if it was a serious and life-threatening emergency.