Bomb threat forces hospital evacuation, patients made to lie on trolleys in the street

Photographs on social media show patients on trolleys outside the main building. Photo/Grant McKee/Twitter

There were scenes of chaos at a hospital today as patients and staff were evacuated over a suspected bomb scare.

Dozens of people had to be evacuated from Wishaw General Hospital in North Lanarkshire as police rushed to the scene shortly before 5pm this evening.

Photographs on social media show patients on trolleys outside the main building as a Scottish Labour MP described the news as "distressing" and said the hospital was vacated following a bomb threat, according to Daily Mail.

Scottish Labour MSP Anas Sarwar used social media to keep locals updated on the situation.

He wrote on Facebook: "Distressing news this evening that Wishaw General Hospital had to be evacuated because of what is believed to have been a bomb threat.

A police spokeswoman said: "Around 4.40pm on Tuesday, officers from Police Scotland and other emergency services were alerted to an alarm activation at Wishaw General Hospital.

"Police officers attended and a search was carried out in conjunction with hospital security staff. The building was assessed as secure it was believed to be a system fault with the alarm.

"There was no impact on the health and safety of patients and normal hospital service resumed."

Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lanarkshire, said: "At around 4.40pm, our alarm system at Wishaw General Hospital was triggered. Staff followed protocol, emergency services quickly attended and there was a partial evacuation of the building.

Photo/Colin Fraser/Twitter

"Within the hour we had received confirmation that it was safe to re-enter the building and the hospital quickly returned to normal.

"We are investigating the cause of the alarm which is believed to be due to a fault with the system. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to patients and visitors and are pleased to report that there was no impact on the safety of patients as a result of this incident."