Our engineering experts have now completed work to resolve the water and drainage issues in the two paediatric cancer wards at the Royal Hospital for Children.
This work has included chemical treatment and the replacement of drains, taps and sinks in wards 2A (inpatient) and 2B (outpatient).
The patients were transferred to ward 6A of the neighbouring Queen Elizabeth University Hospital during this work which allowed our technical staff to carry out a more detailed examination of the overall environment of the two wards.
Following this work we have decided to upgrade the ventilation system in this area. This will cost £1.25m and will deliver the highest standards of ventilation for our young patients. During the 12 month programme to design and install the upgraded system, our young patients will continue to receive their expert care from our paediatric clinical teams in the adult hospital.
Kevin Hill, RHC hospital director, said: “As our patients and staff had already relocated to another ward, this provided a good opportunity to carry out this upgrading of the system. We have informed patients, their families and our staff about the plans for the ward and I am grateful for their understanding.
“While the BMT unit has already had a ventilation upgrade its proximity to ward 2A means that the best option is for those patients also to remain in the adult hospital until all work is completed.”
ENDS
Background note
In March of this year bacteria was found inside the taps of patient rooms in ward 2A of the Royal Hospital for Children.
The water supply from the main tanks to the hospital tested clear and we identified the taps and shower heads as potential sources – all have been replaced.
The drains were also tested and in September we took the decision to move the patients out of wards 2A, 2B and the adjoining Bone Marrow Transplant unit into wards in the adult hospital next door. This allowed our technical staff to carry out remedial works and to make investigations into the whole ward environment. It was during this period that our teams identified the opportunity to upgrade the ventilation system and this work is now being progressed.