TRACES of a bacterial infection that contributed to the deaths of two premature babies at Glasgow’s Princess Royal maternity hospital have been found on four more infants, the health board confirmed. 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it was the first time that this particular strain of the staphylococcus aureus infection had been seen in Scotland and had only been detected in two other countries, world-wide.

It is said to be “highly resistant” to the two antibiotics normally prescribed for the infection. One other baby was treated for the bug.

The board said it was continuing to screen babies and no further cases had been identified at its three neonatal units. 

However, four babies were found to have the bacteria on their skin, known as being colonised.

None of the babies are infected and none require treatment, the board said.

Jennifer Armstrong, medical director of NHSGGC said it had taken the “unusual” step of screening staff to rule out a possible link to the infection. 

NHSGGC board members met for the first time on Tuesday since the death of five patients linked to a series of infectious outbreaks have occurred at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley and the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.

The board said there has been no further cases of other the Cryptococcus or Mucor infections but the sources of the bug have not been identified as yet. 

Read more: Two babies die after being treated for infection at Princess Royal Maternity Hospital

The board also announced that is is carrying out its own review of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in a bid to reassure patients about safety.

This is separate to the inquiry announced by the Scottish Government into the design and construction of the hospital. 

One strand of the board’s own inquiry will focus on clinical safety, looking at infection reports, inspections, patient experiences and how the hospital compares with others run by NHSGGC and other Scottish boards.

The health board said the work will "progressed swiftly" with the findings presented to the board in the next few months.

Another part of the inquiry will look at the facilities and environmental issues and a review of patient flow and capacity, against original projections. 

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The health board said: "Our key priority remains the safety of our patients and support for our staff.

"The work described will be progressed at pace, using all available resources, seeking national expertise and advice which will be fully integrated into the review process."

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government announced it is to launch a separate inquiry into the design, construction and handover of the hospital, which was designed by Nightingale and built by Brookfield Multiplex and opened four years ago.

A new Director of Estates and Facilities was appointed by the board in December, who is heading up the internal inquiry that will look at the initial contract, design, commissioning and maintenance of the building.

It will also look at patient flow and capacity at the hospital, including minor injuries and A&E services and how this compares to the original projections.