Hospital probes raised levels of legionella bug in pipework

HEALTH chiefs are awaiting the results of tests after abnormal levels of the bacteria which can cause Legionnaires' disease were found at a Leeds hospital.

Levels of legionella bacteria were found to be higher than normal in some new pipework in a small part of the Clarendon Wing at Leeds General Infirmary – which has facilities for children and adults.

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Extensive work to hyper-chlorinate water in the affected area was carried out over the weekend. We are now awaiting the results of further testing, although the nature of the test for legionella bacteria means the results take several days to come back. We will not therefore have a definitive all-clear result for some time."

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The trust has stressed that water supplies in most of the wing are unaffected, patient care is not affected and all parts of the building are continuing to "function normally".

A trust spokesman said: "We can reassure patients, visitors and staff that there are no cases of legionella infection at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

"The trust routinely carries out tests on water supplies in all our hospital buildings on a regular basis.

"Recent testing in the Clarendon Wing at Leeds General Infirmary has identified higher than normal levels of legionella bacteria in some new pipework in a small part of the wing. We would stress that water supplies in most of the wing are unaffected.

"Levels do vary from time to time in all large buildings. There is an established method of dealing with such changes using a range of remedial and preventative measures."