This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-16645597
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Three babies dead after infection at Belfast hospital | Three babies dead after infection at Belfast hospital |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A third baby has died in a Belfast neo-natal unit. Details of the death were released on Friday. | A third baby has died in a Belfast neo-natal unit. Details of the death were released on Friday. |
| On Thursday, it was revealed that two babies had died at the Royal Maternity Hospital after an outbreak of an infection called Pseudomonas. | |
| The Belfast Trust said the deaths, in the neonatal unit, may be linked to the outbreak. Admission to the unit is being restricted. | The Belfast Trust said the deaths, in the neonatal unit, may be linked to the outbreak. Admission to the unit is being restricted. |
| The bacteria can cause infections in the chest, blood, and urine. | The bacteria can cause infections in the chest, blood, and urine. |
| There are currently 25 babies in the unit, which cares for ill or premature babies. | There are currently 25 babies in the unit, which cares for ill or premature babies. |
| Consultant Clifford Mayes, who works in the neo-natal unit, said he appreciated that this was an "extremely difficult" time for parents of children in the unit. | Consultant Clifford Mayes, who works in the neo-natal unit, said he appreciated that this was an "extremely difficult" time for parents of children in the unit. |
| He said efforts were under way to identify the source of the Pseudomonas infection. | |
| "It in itself it is not infectious, but because it exists in water or where things are moist, what we are having to do is investigate very thoroughly the unit itself in efforts to try and identify a source," said Mr Mayes. | "It in itself it is not infectious, but because it exists in water or where things are moist, what we are having to do is investigate very thoroughly the unit itself in efforts to try and identify a source," said Mr Mayes. |
| "It's a bacteria that can survive in moist conditions. | "It's a bacteria that can survive in moist conditions. |
| "Patients can carry it on their skin and not be affected, or they can develop problems with chest infections or bloodstream infections. | "Patients can carry it on their skin and not be affected, or they can develop problems with chest infections or bloodstream infections. |
| "The population of the unit are often extremely premature, very small babies and therefore they are very vulnerable." | "The population of the unit are often extremely premature, very small babies and therefore they are very vulnerable." |
| Results wait | Results wait |
| All babies in the unit are being tested for the infection and those found to be clear of it will be treated in a different part of the hospital. | All babies in the unit are being tested for the infection and those found to be clear of it will be treated in a different part of the hospital. |
| A mother of a baby girl in the unit told the Stephen Nolan show that she was anxiously waiting for the results. | A mother of a baby girl in the unit told the Stephen Nolan show that she was anxiously waiting for the results. |
| "She's just seven weeks old and was born at just 24 weeks, weighing just one pound seven ounces," she said. | "She's just seven weeks old and was born at just 24 weeks, weighing just one pound seven ounces," she said. |
| "She has come so far, past illness and the fact that she could get sick again - we really don't want to think about it | "She has come so far, past illness and the fact that she could get sick again - we really don't want to think about it |
| "It takes about 48 hours for results to come back so hopefully we'll find out today." | "It takes about 48 hours for results to come back so hopefully we'll find out today." |
| The health minister said identifying the source was a priority. | The health minister said identifying the source was a priority. |
| Edwin Poots added: "This is a serious incident. | Edwin Poots added: "This is a serious incident. |
| "I have asked the trust to work with the Public Health Agency to ensure all necessary steps are swiftly taken to identify the source of the infection so that we contain it and reduce the risk of spreading. " | "I have asked the trust to work with the Public Health Agency to ensure all necessary steps are swiftly taken to identify the source of the infection so that we contain it and reduce the risk of spreading. " |
| The deaths occurred in the last week to 10 days, but a possible link to the bacteria was only discovered recently. | The deaths occurred in the last week to 10 days, but a possible link to the bacteria was only discovered recently. |
| Mothers who are expected to need the unit after the birth of their babies will possibly be sent to different hospitals. | Mothers who are expected to need the unit after the birth of their babies will possibly be sent to different hospitals. |
| There are also provisions to move babies currently being treated at the Royal Maternity to other neo-natal units in Northern Ireland. Any moves will be decided on a case-by-case basis. | There are also provisions to move babies currently being treated at the Royal Maternity to other neo-natal units in Northern Ireland. Any moves will be decided on a case-by-case basis. |
| Mr Mayes said the infection was only affecting the neo-natal unit and that the hospital's delivery suite was operating normally. | Mr Mayes said the infection was only affecting the neo-natal unit and that the hospital's delivery suite was operating normally. |