A FIFTH patient has died after being treated for an infection at a hospital run by Glasgow’s health board.

The death happened at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where the patient had already been struggling with an “underlying condition”.

Two other patients were treated for the bug. It is the fourth infection outbreak to hit Glasgow hospitals in recent weeks.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) would not confirm when the death occurred and said a “deep clean” had been carried out.

The Crown Office is investigating the deaths of a 10-year-old boy and a 73-year-old woman who died after contracting the Cryptococcus infection, caused by pigeon droppings, at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Read more: Woman fights for life after contracting rare fungal infection 

Two other patients were treated for a separate fungal infection at the hospital, which left one woman seriously ill.

Then last week, it emerged two premature babies had died after contracting a blood infection at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.

Labour’s Monica Lennon described the succession of deaths as “worrying.”

She said: “The death of five patients and investigations into four separate infections across three hospitals in recent weeks is justifiably causing concern.

“People are concerned about cleanliness, hygiene and the safety of our hospital buildings due to ongoing incidents and the health board and government have failed to be open and transparent.

Read more: Pigeon problems first reported at Glasgow hospital more than two years ago

“The Health Secretary Jeane Freeman must urgently explain what action is being taken to protect patient safety and reduce the spread of further infection.

“There must be an investigation into what has gone wrong at hospitals across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”

An NHS GGC spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the patient who has passed away.

“We closely monitor infection rates within our hospitals at all times.

“We have managed this situation fully in line with national guidance and it is this rigorous approach to infection control that identified and managed this effectively.

“Patients in the unit have been screened and tests have proved negative. There have been no further cases.

Read more: Two premature babies die after contracting blood infection at maternity hospital 

“Sadly a patient, who was seriously unwell from their underlying condition, has died and a bacterial infection was one of a number of contributory factors.

“A second patient has been treated and is recovering and a third patient has not required treatment and is stable from an unrelated condition. “

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the families involved, and in particular the family of the person who has died.

“NHS GGC are giving support to the family and have communicated the situation to all the other patients and families involved.

“While there have been no additional infections connected with this incident, a deep clean has been carried out and additional control measures have been put in place.

“Health Protection Scotland are assured that the board have undertaken the appropriate investigation and that control measures have been put in place.”