A bacteria was found in the water systems of a Nottinghamshire mental health hospital, it has emerged. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust carried out testing of Sherwood Oaks' water systems and decided to temporarily suspend new inpatient admissions as a precautionary measure on December 23 last year.
The trust detected legionella bacteria in the system which supplies the hospital building in Mansfield. Hospital bosses have stressed there are no suspected cases of infection from legionella in patients or staff.
Infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria. Common symptoms include coughing, breathlessness, high fever, muscle aches and headaches and usually appear five to six days after infection but may take longer.
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The NHS website advises that infection cannot usually be spread by drinking water containing the bacteria or from other people with the infection. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust did not accept new inpatients at Sherwood Oaks Hospital for a time as a precautionary measure following the discovery.
This measure began to be lifted today (January 6). Anne-Maria Newham, deputy chief executive at the trust, said: "As a precautionary and temporary measure we did not accept new inpatient admissions to Sherwood Oaks Hospital. It is important to note that there are no suspected cases of infection from legionella, either in patients or staff.
"As a precaution we did restrict the water supply to the hospital for a short time while a water treatment process was carried out. Provisions were made to minimise the impact on patients and staff, with our priority being to keep the people who use the service and our colleagues safe.
"Measures have been put in place to make the water safe and enable us to re-open the wards. We are grateful to our patients, relatives and staff for their flexibility during this time."
A Care Quality Commission (CQC) spokesperson said: "CQC have been made aware of an issue with the water supply at Sherwood Oaks Hospital, run by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. We are liaising with the trust to ensure all appropriate action has been taken to keep people safe."
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