‘Reassurance needed’ after third baby dies
● Health board confirm death of third premature baby from hospital infection
Ministers and health officials are under renewed pressure after a third premature baby died at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow from a rare hospital-acquired blood infection.
Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon called on Health Secretary Jeane Freeman to reassure the public and NHS staff that she has all the facts and is doing everything possible to improve infection control and safety in all Scottish hospitals.
The Scottish Government and local health board came under renewed pressure last night after the death of a third premature baby from a rare hospital-acquired blood infection.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) confirmed the latest baby death at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow where two other premature babies lost their lives earlier this year.
The third baby has not been identified, although the health board confirmed that Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infection was a contributing factor in the death. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board said: “As previously reported, we have been rigorously managing a number of cases of a rare Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infection in extremely premature babies in the neonatal unit of the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.
“Three babies, who were extremely poorly due to their very early birth, sadly died and infection was one of a number of contributing causes in their deaths.
“Since early March, no further patients have tested positive for the Staphylococcus aureus infection.”
Tory health spokesperson Miles Briggs said there was a “lack of transparency” in the way the infection outbreaks and subsequent deaths have been handled and reported.
He added: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the baby who has tragically died from this infection.
“Patients and their families will be concerned that information was not being provided to families about what was an on-going situation and the fact a third baby had died from the same infection.
“The public quite rightly expect our hospital estate to be safe and when incidences of infection arise for these to be reported and made public.
“I believe it is time we looked at how infection outbreaks are reported to Minsters and Parliament.”
Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: “This is extremely sad news and my thoughts are with the family of the baby who has died. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde must be transparent about infections, especially when patients have died. The Health Secretary (Jeane Freeman) must reassure the public and NHS staff that she has all the facts and is doing everything possible to improve infection control and safety in all of Scotland’s hospitals.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman added her condolences to the family and said patients and the public deserve to have “complete confidence” in the quality of NHS services.
She added: “Following the previous cases of Staphylococcus aureus infection last month at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, frontline staff have been working hard to minimise the risk of further infections. A rigorous programme of staff and family screening was carried out and further infection control measures were put in place.
“My view is clear and straightforward – I require all health boards to make infection prevention and control an absolute priority.”