Bacteria found in maternity hospital weeks after handover

Earlier this year, the Northern Ireland Audit Office said the latest estimated date for completion of the final phase of the maternity hospital is June 2025.

“The original cost estimate was £57 million, with costs now expected to be £97 million,” it said in a report.

However, BBC News understand the delays could last up to five years due to the need for extensive repairs, including removing ceilings to restore infected water systems.

The trust said an independent investigation into the latest outbreak was being conducted by Hydrop and Porton Down, which is the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

In a statement, Graham Bam Healthcare Partnership said: “The new Maternity Hospital was handed over by GBHP in March 24 in agreement with the Belfast Trust and in accordance with contract specifications.”

In its FoI request, BBC News NI asked if pseudomonas has been detected at any other sites within the Belfast Trust area within the past five years and if any patients had been affected.

In response, the trust said: “It is not uncommon for PSA (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) to be detected through water testing within augmented care areas.

“The current mean detection rate is less than 2%.”