Patients Moved Amid Flooding
Several premature newborns were transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital after heavy rainfall caused severe leaks in the neonatology and nephrology units over the weekend. The incidents occurred between Saturday night and Monday, following a torrential downpour that prompted an Es-Alert from Protecció Civil. Workers at the Barcelona hospital reported widespread water ingress, with ceiling panels collapsing and rain pouring into patient areas. Videos from Saturday show standing water and active leaks in multiple zones of the neonatology and coronary care units.
We had to transfer several premature newborns to the paediatric ICU,
, said a hospital worker to La Vanguardia.
Longstanding Faults Acknowledged
Staff confirmed the flooding is not an isolated incident.
The faults have been there for years. Every time it rains, the neonatology ICU floods.
Two bays in the neonatology and coronary care units were officially acknowledged as affected by President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa, who described the damage as "not minor." The structural issues came under renewed scrutiny as the hospital was forced to postpone 54 surgeries due to the disruption. On Tuesday, Minister of Health Olga Pané visited the site and attributed the vulnerability to the climate crisis. She stressed the need for structural upgrades across Catalan hospitals to withstand extreme weather events, warning that such rainfall episodes are likely to recur. Meanwhile, operations in the neonatology unit are functioning at 80%, though four operating theatres remain closed. The Granollers Hospital, also affected, has largely resumed normal activity except in its pharmacy area, which Illa described as "delicate" on Monday.
Reported by lavanguardia.com, hospital.vallhebron.com, atlas-news.com, elperiodico.com, beteve.cat, [email protected], vallhebron.com, ACN, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, La Vanguardia Barcelona.
