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Publish date: 12 October 2024
Update: Wednesday, 16 October at 4pm
Water System precautionary measures
We currently do NOT have any confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease linked to the hospital. We continue to closely monitor the situation.
We are taking precautionary measures following the identification of a presence of legionella bacterium within limited areas of the water system at the hospital.
As part of our planned water maintenance programme, we identified a presence of the bacteria in some areas of the Trust. The levels identified require precautionary measures and further ongoing testing. We are following national guidance and policy. We have been advised by our specialist external advisers from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency.Patients, visitors and colleagues can be assured that we are doing all we can to manage the issue.
We are now strengthening our precautionary measures: Mitigations are in place with point-of-use filters and we are prioritising those areas impacted, by conducting further risk assessments for relevant areas. Each area may have different mitigating actions, dependent on several factors.
Our ask to everybody:
Please DO NOT remove or tamper with the filters fitted to some taps and water outlets across the hospital – you may notice they slow the water flow, but this is because they are filtering the water appropriately. If you identify any issues with the filters, please let a member of staff know.
Please DO continue to wash your hands regularly and follow this by using hand gel.🏥 There are no planned cancellations expected and we are trying to minimise the impact on patient care. Please note the birthing pool is currently out of action.
Colleagues across the Trust will be supporting patients and assuring any concerns. There remains additional vigilance in place as to the signs and symptoms of legionnaires but there are currently no known cases of the disease, and the Trust is confident in how it is responding to the issue.
Thank you for your support as we manage these precautionary measures.*Legionnaires’ (LEE-juh-nares) disease is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) you get from breathing in Legionella bacteria.
