Cancer sample fear as fridges are turned off

AN URGENT investigation is under way after fridges containing samples used in cancer trials were switched off at a city hospital.

The samples were reportedly being kept in fridges at the Western General as part of clinical trials into cancer.

But the fridges are believed to have been turned off during maintenance work at the weekend, leading to concerns that the samples may no longer be usable.

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NHS Lothian said it was unable to say how many samples were affected, how long fridges were turned off for and whether the samples were still suitable for use in research.

John Jack, director of facilities at NHS Lothian, said: "Essential maintenance was carried out at the Western General Hospital on Saturday involving the electrical supply to a ward.

"Fridges containing research samples were turned off during the work. An investigation is under way."

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh University added: "Initial indications are that there has not been a significant loss of clinical samples."