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Three babies dead after infection at Belfast hospital Three babies dead after infection at Belfast hospital
(about 1 hour 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.
On Thursday, it was revealed that two babies had died at the Royal Maternity Hospital after an outbreak of an infection called Pseudomonas.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 first child died on 6 January, the second on 13 January - both from the infection. The third child died on Thursday night.
The chief executive of the Belfast Health Trust said a full investigation was being carried out.
However, Colm Donaghy added that the "first priority is the safety of all the babies".
"I have absolute confidence in the measures being taken by our staff," Mr Donaghy added.
A hepline has been set up for parents on 028 90 635 389 and admissions are being restricted.
Consultant neonatologist Clifford Mayes, who works in the unit, said "we first became aware there was a major problem on Monday night".
He said this followed results of tests which confirmed the second child had died from the same infection as the first.
All babies in the neonatal unit have now been swabbed for the infection but the results are not yet in. Their parents will be told them first.
Three babies are currently still in the neonatal intensive care unit which normally holds 13.
They will be moved "within the next few hours" at which point the unit will undergo a "deep clean".
Babies moved to units at other hospitals will be isolated straight away and swabbed again for the infection.
"We've spent the last couple of days trying to support the parents," Dr Mayes said.
'Extremely difficult'
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. The neo-natal unit cares for around 29 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. Earlier, Mr Mayes, 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.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 waitResults 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.
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.
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