Health board investigates bacteria found in water at children's hospital

16 March 2018, 19:48

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's investigating - as three children are being treated for infections that could be linked to bacteria being found in the water supply at a hospital.

The discovery was made in some wards at the city's Royal Hospital for Children.

The health board says it poses a low risk to anyone with a healthy immune system, but could harm weaker patients.

It confirmed three children are currently being treated, with tests ongoing to confirm if they are indeed linked.

Dr Teresa Inkster, infection control doctor, said: "It's not unusual for children in this type of ward to suffer infections but we are carrying out tests to determine whether these bacteria are linked to any of the three patients.

"However, we can confirm none of the three patients are giving any cause for concern as a consequence of their infection."

The source of the bacteria is not yet known, but NHS GGC says it is taking advice from Health Protection Scotland, Health Facilities Scotland and Scottish Water.

Paediatric patients in wards 2A, 2B, 3C and the hospital's intensive care unit have been given alternatives to tap water.

Oral antibiotics have also been given to patients with a low immune system.

In addition, portable sinks stocked with bottled water have been supplied to all patient rooms in the affected wards.

Staff in those wards have been able to use the tap water safely, although the health board has taken the extra precaution of fitting taps and showers with filters to make sure there is no cross transmission from staff and visitors to patients.