Firefighters are currently investing a smell of gas on level two at The Canberra Hospital.

ACT Fire & Rescue has evacuated the building as a precaution.

Update to follow.

12:21 PM

Three fire pumpers, the Hazardous Materials unit , the Bronto Skylift Hydraulic Platform and two commanders are on scene.

Crews are still investigating with the Pathology building, building number 10 only evacuated.

Approximately 200-300 have been evacuated.

12:39 PM

ACT Health wishes to advise that due to a gas smell coming from a non inpatient area of the Canberra Hospital campus, there is a temporary disruption to the Canberra Hospital pathology collection centre.

“The collection centre is located within building 10 of the hospital and this building has currently been evacuated whilst investigations are underway into the cause of the gas smell”.

“The evacuation is limited to building 10, so there is no interruption to the delivery of patient services within the campus or Emergency Department”.

“Patients who are intending on attending the Canberra Hospital pathology collection centre are asked not to attend at this time. There are a number of other collection centres across the ACT, including Calvary Hospital, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Lyneham”. Dr Brown, Director-General said.

Further information will be made available as soon as possible, but in the meantime please use an alternate collection centre.

1:15 PM

The building has been given the all-clear with no cause of the smell of gas found.

Staff are returning to the area and firefighters will depart the scene shortly.

No injuries.

1:23 PM

ACT Health advises that the Canberra Hospital Pathology collection centre has re-opened, following a building evacuation earlier today.

“The collection centre experienced a temporary disruption whilst a non inpatient area of the hospital was evacuated earlier today.

The pathology collection centre has now re-opened to the public and pathology services have resumed. People may experience a longer than usual wait time as the centre clears any backlog associated with the disruption.

I would like to thank the staff and ACT Fire and Rescue for their prompt attention to this matter”. Dr Brown, Director-General said.

2:24 PM