CHILD cancer patients are being treated with anti-biotics after bacteria was found in the Royal Hospital for Children.

Traces of bacteria have been found during testing in the drains of wards the haemato-oncology wards 2A and 2B, just three months after it was previously found inside the hospital.

Health officials said the bacteria could pose harm to those with "compromised" immunity, which has resulted in the "few patients" who could be at risk being treated with antibiotics as an "extra precaution".

One woman with a family member being treated at the hospital said: "All the children with central lines have had to be treated with an antibiotic to stop them getting any infections. The children aren't allowed to have baths, parents are having to use bottled water, and the kitchen has been closed.

"The antibiotic wouldn't be needed if it wasn't for this bug, but there's a risk they could suffer from sickness and diarrhoea as a result of it.

"An external company is being brought in to carry out deep cleaning. The ward stopped taking patients in yesterday.

"Calling it a super hospital is a joke. This is the second time in a few months they've found a bug in the water. This is a cancer ward and infection control needs to be tip top."

Health bosses insist there is no issue with drinking water at the hospital and the kitchen area is closed for treatment until tonight. Bottled water is being provided in the meantime.

The drains will be treated in blocks of four rooms at a time and, due to the chemicals used, patients will be transferred until work is completed.

The rest of the Royal Hospital for Children is working as normal and the drain cleaning work in ward 2A and 2B will be completed by the weekend.

Dr Teresa Inkster, NHSGGC Consultant Microbiologist, said: “As the wards affected treat patients whose immune system is compromised we have taken these immediate steps to apply a chemical disinfection to the drains and to inform the families of the situation.

“We have also taken the extra precaution of prescribing antibiotics to a few patients who are at risk of infection and we are sorry for the disruption this has caused to our young patients and their families in wards 2A and 2B at this time.”

Patients and their parents and carers have been fully informed of the situation.

Infection control experts believe the bacteria to be linked to an earlier issue with taps which have since been fitted with filters. The water supply is unaffected.

The board said it acknowledged the inconvenience this temporary move has on patients and families however it is being undertaken to ensure it "maintains safe patient care throughout this time".