Unusual infection probed at children’s hospital
An investigation has been launched into whether the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital is linked to a small number of unusual infections in young patients there.
Health chiefs are working to establish whether the hospital environment has caused the infections among patients who are undergoing treatment.
Some surgical procedures are understood to have been postponed.
Patients may face delays as a result, though youngsters are still being admitted and treated.
NHS Grampian said it was in contact with patients, their families and staff about any changes.
There is no suggestion the infections are linked to Covid-19 and it is still unclear whether the patients – understood to be fewer than five – all contracted the infections in the hospital.
NHS Grampian said: “We have identified a small number of unusual infections in patients treated at RACH.
“While we investigate the causes of this – and whether or not there is a link to the hospital environment – we are taking a very precautionary approach.
“This means we are changing some of our processes in theatres and considering the relocation of some procedures.
“This may lead to a delay for a very small number of patients, for which we apologise. We are communicating directly with both patients and staff about this.”
Earlier this year bosses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde were criticised over serious failings on infection prevention among child patients at the flagship Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Milly Main, 10, was in remission from leukaemia in 2017 when she died at the linked Royal Hospital for Children.
She was one of the 84 young patients infected with bacteria while undergoing treatment.