Health facility set for extended closure over water contamination

UHI House has been closed due to concerns over dangerous bacteria in the water supply

A university building in Inverness is to remain closed for an additional six days after tests indicated that a potentially dangerous bacteria remains on equipment.

The University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) said a "full system disinfection" would be carried out at UHI House following the detection of a "legionella-related issue".

Dental and diabetic appointments have been disrupted at the facility – which houses a number of tenants - in the city's Raigmore area.

UHI said the building would remain closed until at least Thursday as a precautionary measure.

Parts of the facility were initially closed on Wednesday.

UHI said an NHS tenant had carried out water testing earlier in the week, which indicated legionella was present in the supply.

The bacteria, which can grow in hot and cold water systems and cooling towers, can cause a number of serious illnesses including Legionnaires' disease – a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

An NHS Highland spokesman said the risk of infection was low.

The health board said routine dental appointments had been cancelled, but emergency care was still available.

Meanwhile, patients at the diabetes centre have had their appointments relocated or rescheduled.

Additional testing is being carried out alongside system cleaning.

A UHI spokesperson said the issue was related to a "single piece of equipment" and was isolated to UHI House.

They added: "We are working closely with our facilities contractor and NHS Highland, and we appreciate the patience of staff, students and tenants while preventative safeguarding measures are put in place."

NHS Highland said some staff were still working in the building.

"While the risk acquiring infection is low, we would advise colleagues to have a low threshold for considering Legionnaires disease if you have visited UHI House over the last 14 days and have developed symptoms," it said.

"Anyone experiencing symptoms such as high temperature or flu-like illness should contact their GP or NHS24 via 111, explaining possible Legionella exposure."