Paulton Birth Centre has been temporarily closed while NHS Property Services, which owns and manages the site, carries out essential upgrade work on the centre’s water system following the discovery of the legionella bacteria.
Mums-to-be who were planning on using Paulton during this time have been contacted by their midwife, and arrangements have been put in place to ensure they can continue to receive high quality care at another birth centre of their choice.
Services at the unit are provided by Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.
Upgrade work at the Paulton Birth Centre includes draining and removing water tanks, following recent positive testing for legionella bacteria on samples from one sluice in a non-patient area of the birth unit.
A spokesman for NHS Property Services said: “We’re sorry this essential work will affect the plans of some mothers-to-be at an important time.
“We are working to ensure the unit can be reopened as soon as possible.
“We are working with NHS partners to ensure all appropriate precautionary actions are taken.
“As landlord, we routinely conduct water testing across the estate and act immediately on test findings.
“We follow best practice guidelines and want to reassure people that this is a precautionary measure so that services can be restored as soon as possible.”
The birth centre is on the site of Paulton Memorial Hospital where the hospital ward remains open to visitors and the Minor Injuries Unit and Outpatients are continuing to see patients as usual.
