Emergency water tankers were drafted in to supply the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after the site was hit by its second major utilities failure in just over a month.

A burst water main disrupted the hospital’s water supply over the weekend but bosses say that clinical services were not affected. Severn Trent engineers completed repairs last night.

Andy Rogers, hospital spokesman, said it was believed the burst could have occurred on Friday but because the main feeds into the hospital’s own reservoir, the problem went unnoticed until Saturday when water pressure began to drop.

At the end of August the Royal Shrewsbury found itself caught up in a major power cut, which affected more than 50,000 properties across central Shropshire.

The hospital’s emergency power supply failed to kick and extra staff had to be drafted in to help out.

Some patients had their dialysis sessions cut short when the power supply failed However, the hospital’s “critical support” systems have battery power and these continued to function until the emergency supply came on.

Mr Rogers said tankers brought water to replenish the hospital’s reservoir.

A joint statement from the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust and Severn Trent Water, said: “The water supply to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was disrupted over the weekend after a burst water main caused a major underground leak.

“While work was carried out to locate and repair the leak the water supply to the hospital was maintained using water tankers, and the supply was diverted to ensure clinical services were not affected.

“Repairs were completed yesterday at 10.15pm and the full water supply was quickly restored.”

Meanwhile health chiefs considering moves to downgrade Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital and move some acute services to Shrewsbury have been told in no uncertain terms: Hands Off Our Hospital!

Shropshire Star readers have come forward to say they and their loved ones would not be here today if it was not for the skill and dedication of PRH staff.

By Dave Morris