Aberdeen Maternity hospital revealed as having ‘significant risk’ of Legionella

Four NHS Grampian sites have been listed as being at risk from Legionella – including Aberdeen Maternity hospital.

A freedom of information request revealed a list of NHS facilities earmarked by health boards across Scotland as needing immediate attention.

The city’s maternity hospital is listed as having a “significant risk” for Legionella, along with Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Foresterhill Site Services.

Inverurie Health Centre is said to have a “high risk” of the bacteria which can cause Legionnaires’ disease. Other items listed as a “significant risk” at the maternity hospital include the external fabric, roofs, electrical installation, the hot water temperature and ventilation and conditioning.

The maternity’s fire code and health and safety were listed as “high risk”

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was also identified as having a slew of problems with heating systems, asbestos and disabled access listed among 20 issues deemed significant or high risk.

A NHS spokeswoman said: “Our estate comprises a wide range of buildings and land on more than 90 operational sites across Grampian. Modern healthcare facilities are complex and regulatory standards are continually evolving and becoming more rigorous. NHS Grampian’s annual spend on backlog maintenance is limited and is directed to the most significant and high-risk issues.

“The buildings in the estate cover a wide age spectrum, with some of dating back to the Victorian period, and maintaining the estate to these standards is a complex and expensive task. The backlog maintenance programme is intended to address evolving standards, avoid unused or unsatisfactory facilities and keep them both safe and operational.”

Other Grampian Health Board sites with problems listed in the FOI include Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, Ellon Health Centre, Fraserburgh Hospital, Ugie Hospital and Woodend Hospital.

Alexander Burnett, Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said: “Some of the NHS buildings in the North-east are clearly in a desperate state – and we know that the maintenance backlog is enormous.”