Guernsey patient delays due to fungal find

Health authorities have warned patients to expect delays while a fungus is dealt with at Guernsey's Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

A health department spokesman said the fungal mould was found in the pharmacy department during "routine monitoring checks".

He said the naturally occurring fungus was "within permitted levels" but some areas would close as a precaution.

Work to remove the fungus and stop it reoccurring is expected to take a week.

The spokesman said that during the closure of the pharmacy clean rooms, which are purpose built for the storage of sterile products, alternative facilities would be used.

He said that may include help from their counterparts in Jersey.

The spokesman said with fewer facilities available some treatments would have to be rearranged.

He said the department would be operating longer days to help cut down any delays and the biggest delays, for the least urgent cases, would be about a week.

The spokesman apologised to those affected and said they would be contacted directly.