Gas pipework issue at already delayed maternity hospital | Global News Avenue

There are new problems with medical gas pipes at Belfast’s long-delayed new maternity hospital, the health secretary has confirmed.

Mike Nesbitt told the assembly the scale of the problem was believed to be limited to an isolated area of ​​the hospital.

The hospital at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Infirmary is almost complete 10 years behind schedule After numerous delays, it’s hoped it will finally open next year.

But the project has faced further delays in recent months due to high levels of bacteria in the water system.

On Tuesday, Nesbitt said he only learned of the gas line problem that morning.

Nesbitt said he was “deeply dissatisfied” with how the issue had arisen and what he had been told.

The development comes amid a debate launched by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) criticizing the delay in opening the site.

DUP MLA Diane Dodds called for an independent inquiry and said figures showed Potentially dangerous bacteria were found in 459 water outlets of the maternity hospital.

Dodds revealed the figure as he launched a motion to delay the opening of the site.

Responding to a motion calling for an independent inquiry, Nesbitt said: “When I went to bed last night I was not in favor of that, particularly as the cost and time of a further independent inquiry would likely be in the region of £3m a year, There are significant timing implications, improvements are not guaranteed, and progress may be hindered.

“However, as of eight o’clock this morning, I became aware of another problem.

“I knew Mrs Dodds was very knowledgeable about the issues so I challenged her and I gave her 24 hours to find out what the latest issues were in maternity hospitals.

“This is another shocking, another completely shocking revelation.”

Nesbitt later returned to the House to clarify the issue before a vote on the DUP motion.