Children’s wards water scare

THREE children were last night being treated amid fears they caught an infection from bacteria found in their hospital ward water supply.

All patients in three wards at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow are being given antibiotics after the bug was discovered in the water.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is investigating but claims the bacteria pose very low risk to anyone with a healthy immune system.

It said three children are ‘receiving treatment for infections that may be linked to these bacteria found in the water supply’.

It is thought two of the affected wards treat blood cancer patients and the third is a mix of urology, orthopaedics, diabetes and medical paediatrics.

Dr Teresa Inkster, infection control doctor for the health board, said: ‘It is 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.’

Sterilised water is being supplied for drinking and bottled water for brushing teeth. In addition, portable sinks stocked with bottled water have been supplied to all patient rooms in the affected wards.