A Scottish hospital has closed its maternity unit and a 24-hour minor injuries centre after lethal bacteria was found in the water system.
NHS Grampian says parts of Peterhead Community Hospital will be closed until further notice after legionella bacteria was discovered in the pipes, presenting serious risks to patients. A 16-bed ward and renal care services remain open, but other services have been diverted to other medical centres across Aberdeenshire.
Exposure to legionella bacteria is usually harmless but in rare cases can lead to Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. The bugs develop in poorly maintained or underused water and air conditioning systems.
Jeff Shaw, partnership manager for Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “With the detection of legionella at Peterhead Community Hospital and Health Centre we have had to put a number of mitigations in place such as the installation of point of use filters on taps.
“We are taking every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of our staff and patients, both those at summers ward and those that visit the health centre or an outpatient clinic.
"Although the risk of infection is slight, we would ask every visitor to the site to adhere to the safety instructions and please remain patient with staff as they are doing an amazing job in difficult circumstances.”
No infections have been reported among patients or staff, according to the BBC. NHS Grampian says investigations are continuing into the source of the bacteria.
Concerns about bacteria at the hospital were first raised last week by families who were not being allowed to use toilets. The Press and Journal also reported that patients were being washed with wet wipes rather than fresh water.
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