Lifts breaking down at new superhospital in Edgbaston blamed on hot weather.

Jul 23 2010 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

LIFTS at Birmingham’s new £2.6 billion superhospital broke down and plummeted to the ground filled with passsengers in a “freak incident” linked to hot weather.

Thankfully no-one was injured in the incident, but Viv Tsemelis, a director at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital, admitted there had been “teething problems” when called before city health scrutiny chiefs.

Coun Deirdre Alden, scrutiny chairwoman, said she had received complaints about the superhospital including people stuck in a lift when the alarm bell did not work and it then plunged to the ground from the fourth floor.

Ms Tsemelis confirmed that it had occurred and said engineers were drafted in urgently.

“There have been teething problems going into the new hospital as you get with all new buildings,” said Ms Tsemelis.