Investigations are underway in a ward of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh after a defect was identified in some patient bathrooms.
An environmental review identified the presence of mould behind a wallcovering in bathrooms in the Lochranza ward, which looks after oncology and haematology patients.
As a result, immediate precautionary measures have been put in place to protect those patients who are more vulnerable to infections because of weakened immune systems while investigative works take place.
A works update meeting held on Monday heard that other bathrooms are currently being checked to ensure that no more are affected.
The ward has a number of rooms which are not used routinely, meaning the available cubicles have not been reduced, allowing the ward to function as normal and remain open.
It must be stressed that no patients are unwell as a result, and patients and families have been made aware.
There are also no concerns about the way the ward ventilation is functioning or maintained. It is believed the mould was caused by a defective join between wall and floor coverings, which allowed shower water ingress.
Walls in the bedrooms and bathrooms are intact, and the waterproof wall covering has provided a physical barrier between patients and the water damage.
Other aspects of the ward environment are also in place help to protect vulnerable patients from infection, including the provision of filtered ultraclean air into the room.
Alison Macdonald, Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, said: “We know this will be worrying for some families. We need to reassure them that our clinical, microbiological and infection control teams have assessed the situation as “low” risk.
“Nevertheless, this is being treated extremely seriously. Infection control measures have been enhanced and the situation is being monitored very closely.
“Patients may need to be moved into a new room while the investigation and remedial work is carried out, but families are being kept up to date.”
An expert multi-disciplinary Incident Management Team, made up of infection control, microbiological and clinical teams, has been established to oversee and direct the urgent programme of investigation and remedial works which will be carried out by the maintenance contractor.
