Cover-up row over hospital bug outbreak

● NHS under fire for knowing about problem for weeks

0 Four youngsters have been affected at Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow Bosses at Scotland’s flagship children’s hospital have come under fire over a lack transparency in informing the public about a bug outbreak which saw four youngsters infected.

Health secretary Shona Robison yesterday apologised to parents and youngsters affected at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, which is believed to have come from the water supply.

None of the youngsters infected were giving “cause for concern”, MSPS were told yesterday.

But Labour hit out at the handling of the outbreak by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde after the board admitted yesterday it became aware of the problem at the start of March – but only went public this week. A spokesman said “enhanced infection control measures” were immediately put in place.

Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: “There has been no hot water in the cancer ward at the Royal Hospital for Children for almost three weeks,meaningsomepatients have been unable to bathe.

“Parents have had to take children with cancer in taxis to other facilities just to wash.

“That is simply unacceptable – and the lack of transparency from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has made the situation worse.”

Ms Robison insisted that testing of the taps and showers believed to be affected had to take its course and safety was the priority. But she added: “Of course I would apologise to the children and the parents for inconvenience that the have experienced. I’m sure that everyone would understand that most important thing here is safety.”

Tests had been extended to the water tanks supplying the Royal Children’s Hospital and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which shares the site, but these have proved negative.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: The robust infection control measures we immediately put in place included shutting off the taps and showers to these patients. Appropriate measures tailored to each patient were put in place including the provision of sterile wipes for cleaning skin and sterile or bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth.”