Precautions taken as bacteria found in Balfour water supply

The Balfour is currently using bottled water only after traces of a potentially harmful bacteria were found in its mains supply.

In a statement released this Thursday afternoon, the health authority confirmed that routine water sampling identified in three areas that the water did not meet the stringent standards expected in a healthcare setting.

As such, NHS Orkney says it is taking a proactive, precautionary approach due to the vulnerable nature of its patients. Further testing is under way to verify the findings, which it is believed may be the result of contaminated samples rather than the bacteria being presented in the water supply itself.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: “We are asking all our staff and visitors to use the hand gel provided, particularly after washing their hands.

“The provision of bottled water only is now in place across The Balfour as well as water free care for all patients.

“This is not having any major impact on services, and we continue to carry out all hospital activity, we are simply ensuring precautionary measures are in place across the hospital and healthcare facility.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and want to reassure the community that control measures are in place and we will remove these safeguards as soon as we able to do so.”