Water leak temporarily closes hospital heart clinics

A water leak at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has forced the temporary closure of two services which offer heart-related diagnostic and treatment procedures.

The leak resulted in mould being found in some non-clinical areas and two specialist vascular procedure centres have been taken out of use while remedial work is undertaken.

NHS Lothian said the temporary reduction of clinical areas may result in delays or appointments being rescheduled in some specialist services.

But the health board said there was no infection risk to staff or patients.

BBC Scotland News previously revealed how tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers' cash is expected to be needed to bring the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh up to scratch when it transfers to public ownership next year.

New lighting, ventilation and electrical systems are among the measures needed as the hospital's controversial Private Finance Initiative contract ends in December, 2027.

Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director of NHS Lothian, said the situation was being monitored by experts but that there was "no infection risk associated with this leak to staff or patients".

She added: "Remedial work is underway following a water leak at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

"Some mould was located in some areas of the non-clinical environment as a consequence of the water leak.

"As a precaution, two specialist vascular procedure labs have been taken out of use while it is removed."

Dr Gillies said patients do not need to do anything and would be contacted directly by their clinical team if necessary.

She added: "We apologise to affected patients for the inconvenience and would reassure them that we are working to restore services safely and as soon as possible."