Investigation Launched After Mould Found on Edinburgh Children's Cancer Ward
An investigation has been initiated following the discovery of mould on the children's cancer ward at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.
The mould was identified behind a wall covering in the bathrooms of the Lochranza ward, which provides care for oncology and haematology patients.
Immediate precautionary measures have been implemented to safeguard patients, who are particularly vulnerable to infections due to weakened immune systems.
NHS Lothian confirmed that no patients have become unwell as a result of the mould, and that patients and their families have been informed about the ongoing situation.
Context and Related Incidents
This discovery follows a recent finding of mould in a room on the adult bone marrow transplant unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is planning to rebuild the cancer ward there, describing the proposal as "necessary" due to ongoing defects that have disrupted the unit's operations.
Both hospitals are currently under a national inquiry ordered in 2019, which was prompted by concerns about unusual infections and patient deaths in Glasgow, as well as a 20-month delay in the opening of the Edinburgh hospital.
Further Inspections and Ward Operations
Following the latest discovery at the Edinburgh children's hospital, additional bathroom facilities are now being inspected.
Several rooms within the ward are not used routinely, so the number of available cubicles has not been reduced, allowing the ward to continue functioning normally and remain open.
NHS Lothian also stated there are no concerns regarding the ventilation system's operation or maintenance on the ward.
Cause and Protective Measures
The mould is believed to have resulted from a defective join between the wall and floor coverings, which permitted shower water to penetrate the area.
The health board indicated that the walls in both bedrooms and bathrooms remain intact, and that the waterproof wall covering has served as a physical barrier between patients and the water damage.
Additional measures have been implemented to protect vulnerable patients from infection, including the provision of filtered ultra-clean air into the affected room.
Statements from NHS Lothian
Nurse Director Alison Macdonald acknowledged that the incident may cause concern among some families but emphasized that clinical, microbiological, and infection control teams have assessed the risk as "low."
"This is being treated extremely seriously," she said. "Infection control measures have been enhanced and the situation is being monitored very closely.
Patients may need to be moved into a new room while the investigation and remedial work is carried out, but families are being kept up to date."
Incident Management and Remedial Actions
An expert incident management team, comprising infection control, microbiological, and clinical experts, has been established to oversee and direct the urgent investigation and remedial work programme.
