Hospital theatre reopened following maggot find

Published on Friday 3 July 2009 14:13

One of three children's hospital operating theatres caught up in a maggot infestation scare has reopened, officials said today.

But the two other theatres remain closed and the hunt for the source of the maggots continued today.

Three theatres at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital were closed yesterday after maggots were found in two of them.

The third theatre was closed as a precaution but has reopened for emergencies, said NHS Grampian.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has said she expects the health board to establish and rectify the cause "as quickly as possible".

The health board said specialists who worked until 10pm last night searching for the source had resumed their investigation today and two "decontamination cleans" had already been carried out.

Alan Pilkington, general manager of child health services, said children had never been at risk of coming into contact with the maggots.

"Around 25 maggots were found by cleaners on the floor of theatres, some singly and some in clusters, apparently at various stages of development," he said.

"Clearly infestation of this kind is very unpleasant, and our advisors will continue to try throughout the day to identify the source.

"I am satisfied this is not a reflection on staff or standards of cleanliness in the hospital."

Eight ear, nose and throat procedures had been postponed today and will be rearranged.