Leeds hospital evacuated after suspicious package found

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A hospital in Leeds has declared a critical incident after a suspicious package was found outside a maternity wing.

Police and army specialists have been called to the Gledhow wing of St James’s hospital, where some patients have been evacuated.

The NHS trust said it had declared a critical incident “so that we can keep staff and patients safe” while emergency services investigated.

West Yorkshire police urged people to avoid the entrance to the Gledhow wing and said it had erected a cordon as a precautionary measure.

The Leeds teaching hospitals trust, which oversees St James’s hospital, said: “Emergency services are currently dealing with a suspicious package incident outside the Gledhow wing at St James’s hospital.

“A cordon has been put in place as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and we have been working with the police to evacuate some ward areas to keep our patients and staff safe.

“Patients are being asked to attend hospital as normal for appointments, unless they are contacted otherwise. Visiting for patients who are currently in Gledhow wing and Lincoln wing at St James’s hospital is suspended until we have more information. Accident and emergency at St James’s is still open.”

West Yorkshire police added: “Officers are liaising with army specialists who are at the scene to make an assessment in line with normal procedures. People are asked to avoid the entrance to the Gledhow wing at this time.”

The Gledhow wing, about a mile from Leeds city centre, houses the majority of maternity services at St James’s hospital, including its antenatal clinic, maternity assessment centre and the delivery suite. It also includes wards for respiratory and bereavement services.