As a former City Councillor for Redbridge ward in Southampton, I have first-hand experience in understanding the vital role that sprinklers play in saving lives and protecting property. In 2017, after the fire there, I listened to terrified Redbridge Towers block residents and the families of the firefighter victims of the Shirley Towers fire in 2010.

So I campaigned successfully for their installation in all Southampton City Council tower blocks. Following the devastating Major Incident fire at the Southampton General Hospital (SGH) on Sunday 1st February 2026, the urgent need to extend such safety measures to all hospitals and care homes in England has become glaringly apparent. 

On that ominous day, the SGH witnessed a fire incident that led to the destruction of the endoscopy unit and evacuation of hundreds of patients. It could have led to worse catastrophic damage at the Hospital, further risking the lives of patients, medical staff, firefighters, and local residents.

The absence of adequate sprinkler systems exacerbated the situation considerably. The knock-on effects on the NHS, patients and staff are huge. The ripple effects were severe, impacting not only the SGH but also straining the entire NHS network across the region. We cannot afford a repeat of such a harrowing experience.

Sprinklers have proven to be a highly effective means of containing and extinguishing fires, thereby mitigating potential damage and loss. This is why we, the undersigned, demand that University Hospitals Southampton urgently installs suitable sprinklers in all of their buildings, irrespective of height. This measure is not just about safeguarding infrastructure; it is about prioritising human life and safety above all else.

Furthermore, we believe that this should be a part of a broader legislative initiative. It is imperative that the UK government mandates the installation of sprinkler systems in all hospitals and care homes across England. Such a law would ensure a consistent approach to fire safety across Britain, protecting vulnerable individuals who rely on these critical services daily.

Implementing these safety measures is not only a moral responsibility but also a necessary step to guarantee that every patient, staff member, firefighter and resident is afforded the highest standard of protection against fire hazards. By signing this petition, you are advocating for the safety and wellbeing of our communities. We urge you to lend your voice to this cause and help make our hospitals and care homes safer places for everyone.

We back the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) ‘Automatic Water Suppression Systems Policy Statement’, and British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) and Fire Protection Association (FPA) advice on sprinklers. BAFSA says: “There are, at present, no statutory requirements for sprinklers to be provided in hospitals with the exception of high rise buildings (in excess of 30m) and in certain commercial enterprises contained within hospitals.”

We believe that Parliament should make law to mandate sprinklers in all hospitals and care homes due to vulnerable patients and staff, and the huge knock-on effects of the SGH fire and similar fires in England. As the NFCC statement says: ‘In England, the regulations covering sprinklers trail behind the rest of the UK. In Scotland, sprinklers are required in all blocks of flats, care homes, social housing, and schools. Wales requires sprinklers in all new single dwellings, including all new care homes, student halls of residence, boarding houses, and certain hostels.