Staff at Royal Alexandra Hospital not told of legionella until 14 days after it was found in ward water supply

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Staff at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley were not told the water they were using to wash their hands and patients and clean wards was potentially infected with legionella.Nurses, carers and domestics were not informed the bacteria, which causes legionnaire’s disease, was identified in the water system on wards 36 and 37 until a fortnight after it was discovered there.Together they were caring for frail older people – the one group most susceptible to the disease which is a type of pneumonia.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) also failed to tell their families.Only senior management and senior charge nurses were aware of the risk.

When bosses were eventually forced to close the wards on July 12, families of people living with dementia and patients themselves were informed.Staff were told the day before despite guidance from the Health and Safety Executive suggesting staff are “advised to be aware of symptoms, and provided information about legionella”.A spokesperson for NHSGGC said: “Senior charge nurses within the wards were aware of the situation as it emerged.Renfrewshire Live, the new free app dedicated to bringing you around the clock breaking news, is now available to download.Powered by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Live is your go-to source for news, features and sport with live coverage provided direct to the app, seven days a week.The dedicated team of experienced journalists, responsible for the publication of the award-winning Express, will focus on breaking news, day and night, across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.There is also a dedicated St Mirren section that will follow every kick of the ball with the Buddies. Available on both Android and Apple.