Tuesday March 24th 2026
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
An investigation is underway at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh after mould was found on bathroom walls in a children’s cancer ward.
An environmental review identified the presence of mould behind a wall covering in bathrooms in the Lochranza ward, which looks after oncology and haematology patients.
The ward is within the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders (hematology) and cancers (oncology).
Explaining that a ‘defect was identified in some patient bathrooms’, the hospital has put immediate precautionary measures in place to protect patients who are ‘vulnerable to infections because of weakened immune systems while investigative works take place’.
An update meeting held on Monday heard that other bathrooms are currently being checked for mould.
The hospital has explained that the ward has a number of rooms which are not used routinely, meaning the available cubicles have not been reduced, allowing the ward to function as normal and remain open.
They also explained that no patients are unwell as a result of the mould.
It is believed that the mould was caused by a defective joint between walls and floor coverings, which allowed shower water ingress, not an issue with ventilation.
Other aspects of the ward environment are also in place help to protect vulnerable patients from infection, including the provision of filtered ultraclean air into the room.
Alison Macdonald, Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, said:
“We know this will be worrying for some families. We need to reassure them that our clinical, microbiological and infection control teams have assessed the situation as ‘low’ risk.
“Nevertheless, this is being treated extremely seriously. Infection control measures have been enhanced and the situation is being monitored very closely.
“Patients may need to be moved into a new room while the investigation and remedial work is carried out, but families are being kept up to date.”
The hospital also explained that Walls in the bedrooms and bathrooms are intact, and the waterproof wall covering provided a physical barrier between patients and the water damage.
Other aspects of the ward environment are also in place help to protect vulnerable patients from infection, including the provision of filtered ultraclean air into the room.
An expert multi-disciplinary Incident Management Team, made up of infection control, microbiological and clinical teams, has been established to oversee and direct the urgent programme of investigation and remedial works which will be carried out by the maintenance contractor.
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