Cancer ward patients to be transferred after infections linked to mould

Patients in a cancer ward are to be moved after cases of an infection linked to mould were found.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran said it had identified a “very small number” of patients with Aspergillosis within a ward at University Hospital Crosshouse near Kilmarnock earlier this year.

Aspergillosis is usually caused by inhaling tiny pieces of Aspergillus mould.

The health board said the source is under investigation and patients in the affected oncology ward will be transferred.

Jennifer Wilson, nurse director at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “We notified Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection Scotland of the incident in line with the national reporting requirements and are working closely with them.

“While we have taken measures to address the issue, in order to complete essential maintenance to the ward infrastructure, we are currently exploring alternative ward accommodation to allow these works to take place.”

It said it will not release any further information at this time to respect and maintain patient confidentiality.

In a separate incident, the health board said a “very small number” of patients had been found to have the Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia infection, a bacteria that can be found in moist environments.

It said the issue has been thoroughly investigated and is now closed.