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 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 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 first child died on 6 January, the second on 13 January - both from the infection. The third child died on Thursday night. | 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. | 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 the babies and ensuring the work that we do keeps babies safe". | |
| "I have absolute confidence in the measures being taken by our staff," Mr Donaghy added. | "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. | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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 a large neonatal intensive care unit which can hold 13. | |
| They will be moved "within the next few hours" to smaller rooms at which point the intensive care room would undergo a "deep clean". | |
| Babies moved to units at other hospitals will be isolated straight away and swabbed again for the infection. | 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. | "We've spent the last couple of days trying to support the parents," Dr Mayes said. |
| 'Extremely difficult' | 'Extremely difficult' |
| Admission to the unit is being restricted. | 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. |
| The neo-natal unit contains 31 cots for premature babies and sees about 550 admissions per year. Mr Mayes said as the babies were very vulnerable, the unit could see as many as 30 deaths a year. | |
| Earlier, he 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 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." | |
| He added: "We'll be seeking to isolate babies that haven't contracted the bacteria at this point to ensure further children do not contract it. | |
| "So there's a considerable amount of work that's being done." | |
| 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. |
| Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Please use the form below to send in your comments. | Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Please use the form below to send in your comments. |