A security alert forced Whipps Cross University Hospital into a two-hour lockdown today.

Services were suspended shortly before 11am and people were denied access to the Leytonstone site after a call was received suggesting a bomb had been placed in the area.

The site was not evacuated but midwives were reported to be dealing with expectant mothers outside the maternity unit – although this has not been confirmed.

Surrounding roads were closed and ambulances diverted away from the site.

Sniffer dogs were used to search the site, which re-opened at about 1.15pm.

A Barts Health spokeswoman said services had returned to normal and the trust was doing all it could to ensure as many people were seen as quickly as possible.

 

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