Water coolers to be removed from every hospital to cut infection risk
WATER coolers are being removed from Scotland’s hospitals in a bid to prevent potentially deadly infections.
The new policy has started in Glasgow but is expected to be rolled out across Scotland in the coming months.
An investigation at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow was launched following a string of infections including bugs linked to the water supply.
Now staff are being told to drink tap water instead of using bottled water from the coolers.
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasat gow and Clyde said it was the first board to follow a new national infection control directive.
The concerns are that bacteria could grow in the nozzle and the water bottle of the machines if they are not routinely used, which could pose an infection risk to vulnerable patients.
The QEUH has been troubled with infections linked to its water supply, with widespread contamination found in its taps and drains during an inspection.
The probe was launched after an infection outbreak in two cancer wards at the neighbouring Royal Hospital for Children last year. Control measures have since been introduced including installation of a new water treatment system and the provision of bottled water for patients.
But there have since been more reports of infections with the source as yet undisclosed. Meanwhile NHS National Services Scotland, which advises the Scottish Government on health policy, says guidance will be published later this year. A spokesman for NHSGGC said: ‘This is a national initiative being led for infection control purposes and applies to every hospital in Scotland.’
He added that all staff and patients have access to clean drinking water.
Union leaders criticised Glasgow’s health board for apparently failing to warn staff about removal of the water coolers.
A Unison spokesman said it had been inundated with complaints including from theatre staff at the Canniesburn plastic surgery unit the Glasgow Royal Infirmary who complained that they had no drinking water for patients in recovery.
Unison Scotland head of health Matt McLaughlin called for assurances that tap water would be safe for staff to drink. He added: ‘I have received a significant number of contacts from members concerning the boards’ decision to remove drinking water coolers.
‘Not every tap is directly linked to the mains water supply, so we are asking for drinking water taps to be clearly identified.’
A spokesman for NHS National Services Scotland said: ‘The guidance around drinking water systems and dispensing equipment is currently under review and is due to be published later this year.
‘There is currently no ban on drinking water systems and drinking water dispensing equipment across the NHS in Scotland.’
‘Not every tap is linked to the mains’