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| Southampton General Hospital West Wing Photo: Southampton Independents |
Shirley campaigner Andrew Pope has created a petition in response to the fire at Southampton General Hospital on 1st February 2026. You can sign it at this link here.
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| Independent Network Emblem |
Andrew is a member of the Independent Network of councillors and campaigners. He is also the co-founder of Southampton Independents.
His petition reads:
"As a former City Councillor for Redbridge ward in Southampton, I have
first-hand experience in understanding the vital role that sprinklers
play in saving lives and protecting property. In 2017, after the fire
there, I listened to terrified Redbridge Towers block residents and the
families of the firefighter victims of the Shirley Towers fire in 2010.
So I campaigned successfully for their installation in all Southampton
City Council tower blocks. Following the devastating Major Incident fire
at the Southampton General Hospital (SGH) on Sunday 1st February 2026,
the urgent need to extend such safety measures to all hospitals and care
homes in England has become glaringly apparent.
On that ominous
day, the SGH witnessed a fire incident that led to the destruction of
the endoscopy unit and evacuation of hundreds of patients. It could have
led to worse catastrophic damage at the Hospital, further risking the
lives of patients, medical staff, firefighters, and local residents. The
absence of adequate sprinkler systems exacerbated the situation
considerably. The ripple effects were severe, impacting not only the SGH
but also straining the entire NHS network across the region. We cannot
afford a repeat of such a harrowing experience.
The knock-on effects on the NHS, patients and staff are huge. The NHS was created in 1948 to end charity and voluntary hospitals. Yet the Hospital is now begging for charity via the Hospital's charity. This is against what the NHS was created for - a universal healthcare system, free at the point of need, funded by the national Government. Not a charity begging for money when NHS management and Government have failed to protect people.
Sprinklers have proven to be a highly effective means of containing and extinguishing fires, thereby mitigating potential damage and loss. This is why we, the undersigned, demand that University Hospitals Southampton urgently installs suitable sprinklers in all of their buildings, irrespective of height. This measure is not just about safeguarding infrastructure; it is about prioritising human life and safety above all else.
Furthermore, we believe that this should be a part of a broader legislative initiative. It is imperative that the UK government mandates the installation of sprinkler systems in all hospitals and care homes across England. Such a law would ensure a consistent approach to fire safety across Britain, protecting vulnerable individuals who rely on these critical services daily.
Implementing these safety measures is not only a moral responsibility but also a necessary step to guarantee that every patient, staff member, firefighter and resident is afforded the highest standard of protection against fire hazards. By signing this petition, you are advocating for the safety and wellbeing of our communities. We urge you to lend your voice to this cause and help make our hospitals and care homes safer places for everyone."
You can sign the petition at this link here.
