Probe after patients die in coronavirus outbreak at Edinburgh cancer ward
SEVERAL patients have died in a coronavirus outbreak at a hospital.
NHS Lothian said it is investigating the outbreak in a cancer ward at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh after a “very small number of patients” died.
The health board did not confirm the number of deaths, but said it was fewer than five.
A further six patients have tested positive for Covid-19, and the oncology ward has been closed to new patients being admitted and current patients being discharged.
Dr Donald Inverarity, consultant microbiologist, NHS Lothian, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and I would like to express our sincere condolences.
“A multidisciplinary Incident Management Team was immediately established and all necessary infection control measures are in place. The situation will continue to be reviewed and monitored very closely.”
Patients who would normally spend the weekend at home with family before returning to hospital on Monday are being asked to remain on the ward to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
The health board’s Health Protection Team and the nationwide Test and Protect teams are carrying out contact tracing of visitors and outpatients, where necessary.
Routine Covid-19 screening of staff and patients is taking place as part of an enhanced regime.
Mr Inverarity said: “The enhanced outbreak testing regime allows us to identify staff and patients who have the virus before they become symptomatic.
“That gives us the opportunity to introduce enhanced infection control measures and barriers sooner than we would previously have been able.
“It allows staff to begin selfisolation and patients to be moved into cohorted groups before they become symptomatic, which in turn reduces the likelihood of passing on the infection to others.
“Patient safety is our main priority and while we understand that the request not to go home for the weekend may be upsetting, it is necessary.
“It will help reduce the risk of onwards transmission and protect their families and the wider community. I would like to thank patients and their families for their co-operation and understanding.”
Reacting to the news of the outbreak, Andy Wightman, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, wrote on Twitter: “Thoughts with staff, patients and families at Western General in dealing with this tragic situation.”
Earlier this week, the Government announced a £20.6 million grant to help improve cancer services for patients at the hospital.
The cash injection will fund a range of construction and refurbishment projects to oncology wards, services and facilities at the hospital. This includes building two new Linear Accelerator bunkers to house specialist cancer treatment machines, improvements to patient accommodation and relocating the Cancer Assessment Unit.