Following some misleading media reports, we are keen to clarify the situation around the closure of an admin building on the Royal Edinburgh Hospital campus in Edinburgh.
The Kennedy Tower, which was lightly used by a small number of staff, was closed after routine water quality monitoring detected the presence of legionella bacteria in the water system.
No patient clinics or services are provided in the building, which has not been fully occupied for a number of months, and was used solely as an admin base.
As soon as the bacteria was detected, our staff were informed, given precautionary health advice and relocated into other areas.
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “Kennedy Tower is not accessible to patients and has not been fully occupied for some time.
“As a precautionary measure, the building is now closed and the small number of staff who were using the facility have been relocated. The situation is being closely monitored.
“The presence of legionella bacteria was detected in the water system as part of our routine building management and water quality monitoring and the situation is being closely scrutinised.”
About Legionella
• Legionella is a bacteria commonly found in soil and water supplies.
• Legionella can make people, particularly those vulnerable to infections, feel unwell if it is inhaled through spray in the air such as showers or sprinklers.
• Legionella infections can be treated with antibiotics.
• NHS Lothian regularly risk assesses and samples its waters systems in line with current guidance and legislation to ensure their safe and correct operation.
• Legionella infections do not spread from person to person or though drinking water.
