'Shocking' pipework issue at already delayed maternity hospital

A new issue with medical gas pipework at Belfast's long-delayed new maternity hospital has emerged, the Health Minister has confirmed.

Mike Nesbitt told the Assembly that the scale of the problem is believed to be limited to an isolated section of the hospital.

The hospital, at the Royal Victoria site in Belfast, is already almost 10 years behind schedule after numerous delays but it was hoped it would finally open next year.

In recent months it has been revealed that a high presence of a bacteria in its water system could cause more delay.

On Tuesday, Nesbitt said he had only been made aware of the gas pipework issue that morning.

Nesbitt said he was "deeply dissatisfied" by the emergence of the problem and when he had been informed about it.

The development came during a debate brought by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) criticising the delay in opening the site.

DUP MLA Diane Dodds called for an independent inquiry to take place and said figures showed a potentially dangerous bacteria was found in 459 water outlets in the maternity hospital.

Responding to the motion calling for an independent inquiry, Mr Nesbitt said: “When I went to bed last night I was not in favour of that, not least because the cost and time associated with a further independent inquiry could be in the order of £3m per annum with a significant time impact and no guarantee of improvement and it could potentially stymie progress.

“However, as of eight o’clock this morning I have become aware of another issue.

“I know Mrs Dodds is very well informed on these issues so I challenge her, I give her 24 hours to discover what the latest problem is with the maternity hospital.

“It is another shocking, another totally shocking revelation.”

Nesbitt later returned to the chamber and provided clarity on the issue, ahead of a vote on the DUP motion.

The vote on the motion passed by 61 to nine, with only the Ulster Unionists and People Before Profit voting against it.