Cancer wards at kids hospital shut till March

THE reopening of two cancer wards in a children’s hospital has been delayed until March, the NHS revealed yesterday.

Work on improving the ventilation system at the wards in the Royal Hospital for Children at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) will take another six months, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said.

The wards were closed last year, when youngsters were infected by bacteria from the water supply. Health chiefs said last December it would take 12 months to complete the work.

The news comes only days after it was confirmed the new £150million Royal Hospital for Children and Young people in Edinburgh will not open until next autumn.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde revealed the revised reopening date after it said new patients were diverted to other hospitals, with the majority going elsewhere in Glasgow and a ‘small number’ to Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The board said: ‘Extensive testing has not demonstrated a link between the infections and the ward environment. We are therefore working towards reopening Ward 6A. Wards 2A and 2B are scheduled to reopen in March.’

Scottish Labour health spokesman Monica Lennon said: ‘There is a lack of communication: parliament is not being kept updated by the Health Secretary [Jeane Freeman] and parents and staff are not in the loop either. They feel like they are kept in the dark and it is only when there is a story in the paper that a press release comes out with some information.

‘How long is this going to continue? Scotland’s sickest children are being let down time and time again. Parents say they have lost confidence in our hospitals and the health boards. It’s a disgrace. Nicola Sturgeon must agree to an independent public inquiry.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The Health Secretary’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of all patients and their families. She has instructed officials to make arrangements for her to meet families affected to hear their concerns. She has already commissioned an independent review.

‘We understand NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are currently undertaking work to improve the ventilation system in the cancer wards 2A and 2B, so that they meet the current ventilation guidance.

‘The Scottish Government will be closely overseeing the completion of all required actions at the QEUH.’