Sewage leak delays operations at Royal Papworth

A sewage leak from a toilet at Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, led to the cancellation of several planned operations on Wednesday morning.

The heart and lung hospital said the leak occurred in a staff changing room close to its operating theatres.

A hospital spokesperson said: "We are very sorry to those patients who were impacted."

They added that, following a deep clean of the area, some planned procedures resumed on Wednesday afternoon, and all surgery was now back to normal.

The hospital has six theatres

Royal Papworth is a leading centre for chest trauma and heart attack and respiratory emergencies.

The BBC understands emergency care was not affected and the hospital remained open for urgent admissions. No ambulances were diverted to other hospitals.

The trust is currently rated "outstanding" by the Care Quality Commission.

The spokesperson said: "Patient safety will always come first, which meant we had to cancel some planned procedures.

"All patients who were cancelled have already been rebooked; those who had been waiting the longest will be treated before the weekend."