Deep clean of Belfast neonatal unit after bacteria found on babies' skin

Pseudomonas may be found on the skin but not necessarily cause an infection. This is known as colonisation.

A small number of babies at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital have been found to have the bacteria pseudomonas on their skin.

The babies were being treated in the neonatal unit at the hospital, however none of the infants are infected with pseudomonas.

A spokesperson for Belfast Health Trust said they want to reassure patients, families and the wider public that all is being done to manage the situation including a deep clean of the unit.

They added that ‘robust’ infection control measures have been put in place to prevent further incidents occurring.

Pseudomonas is a germ found in the environment but can occur in moist areas such as sinks or baths. It rarely causes illness outside a hospital or healthcare setting but can cause serious problems for anyone with a weakened immune system.

Infection control departments in hospitals are constantly taking measures to prevent spread and outbreaks.

In a statement the Trust said unfortunately a ‘small number of babies’ in the neonatal unit of Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital have been found to have pseudomonas skin colonisation but added that no infant had been infected.