Maggots close operating theatres

Maggots forced the closure of three operating theatres

An infestation of maggots has caused the closure of three operating theatres at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital.

NHS Grampian said that it was investigating the possible cause.

Several patients have had procedures postponed since the closure, and some others had them carried out at accident and emergency.

The health board said a specialist company had been brought in to try to pinpoint the source to allow full cleaning ahead of reopening.

The maggots were found by a member of staff.

There are three theatres at the hospital. Two were affected and the third was closed as a precaution.

NHS Grampian said there was no risk to patients.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said she had been "very disturbed" by the incident.

'Shocked and disgusted'

She added: "We all expect the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene in our hospitals, particularly in operating theatres.

"This situation is unacceptable and I am pleased that NHS Grampian is investigating as a matter of urgency. I expect them to establish the cause as quickly as possible and take immediate steps to rectify it and ensure there is no repeat.

"I also expect the health board to do everything possible to minimise disruption to services and make sure alternative theatre facilities continue to be used until the closed theatres reopen."

Liberal Democrat public health spokesman Jamie Stone said: "The cancellation of operations will cause serious concern to parents and families, not to mention the distress suffered by children waiting for surgery.

"This seems to be an astonishing turn of events in this day and age - something you associate with the 19th Century rather than the 21st."

Aberdeen Central Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said people would be "shocked and disgusted" by the infestation.

He added: "This is not down to neglect by individual members of staff. Clearly, NHS Grampian is beginning to pay the price of underfunding by the SNP government and the result of that is that clinical standards are being compromised and operations are being delayed."

Ms Sturgeon dismissed Mr Macdonald's claims as "totally unacceptable", saying the board had received record funding of more than £690m for 2009/10.

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