Hospital Santa Lucía in Cartagena tackles smoking hazards after fire with 25 new cameras

The hospital will install surveillance cameras and fencing on its terraces to prevent smoking and improve safety

Many will remember the images of the fire last November at the Hospital General Universitario Santa Lucía in Cartagena, caused by a discarded cigarette on one of the terraces. Dozens of patients had to be evacuated as flames spread from the outdoor area, showing just how risky smoking in hospital grounds can be.

Now, the hospital is taking action to prevent anything like that from happening again. Twenty-five surveillance cameras are being installed across the complex, along with fences to limit access to certain outdoor spaces. The terraces will be monitored to reduce risks and make sure the outdoor common areas are used safely.

The specialist teams are already at work. Thirteen panoramic cameras will cover the main terrace, six cameras will monitor the rear exits, and six dome cameras with thermal sensors will watch the lifts opening onto the terrace. The system should be fully operational by the end of February.

Alongside the cameras, fencing will restrict lingering in the terrace areas and discourage smoking, creating a safer and healthier environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Hospital management stresses that all measures follow expert technical reports. 

The regional health authorities have also confirmed that anti-smoking surveillance will eventually be rolled out across all hospitals, making sure rules are respected even where security guards are already present.

The work on Santa Lucía’s terraces is ongoing and will not affect daily hospital activity, with completion expected in the coming weeks.

Read also: Santa Lucía Hospital had polyurethane cladding in its walls, like in the fatal Valencia tower fire

Images:@Area2Cartagena