Bug behind shutdown of Northern Ireland breast milk bank

Issues: Milk bank

By Lauren Harte

Ireland's only human milk bank was forced to suspend operations due to the potentially deadly Pseudomonas bug, it has emerged.

Last week it was learned the service had been put on hold after 259 litres of donated breast milk destined for babies in need had to be disposed of after issues arose with how it was handled and processed.

However, the Belfast Telegraph has learned the problem was due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the Co Fermanagh facility.

The milk bank has been operating since 2000 and is managed by the Western Trust. For the past 18 years it has provided human milk for thousands of needy babies across Ireland, many of whom would have died without this help.

The trust admitted that it encountered difficulties achieving processing standards during a recent relocation of the milk bank from Lisnaskea to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, and donor milk had to be disposed of.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is found widely in soil and stagnant water and can cause infections in the chest, blood and urinary tract. It also poses a risk to elderly people with weak immune systems.

While Pseudomonas is not infectious, because it exists in water or moisture, patients can carry it on their skin. It can be treated with the right antibiotic.

Similar incidents at hospitals here in late 2011/early 2012 led to the deaths of four babies.

Three died in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Unit, and the other at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

A subsequent report said there were delays in sharing information between health trusts.

Infected taps were blamed for the scandal by then Health Minister Edwin Poots and measures were put in place in hospital wards across Northern Ireland to prevent a similar tragedy happening again.

The milk bank provides over 1,500 litres of lifesaving breast milk to more than 900 ill or premature babies annually.

It also helps babies with major gut or heart problems by providing milk to their homes, as well as those cared for in hospices.

However, it relies on breastfeeding mothers from all across Ireland for donations.

The milk bank relocated to Enniskillen from leased premises in nearby Irvinestown on January 29 this year.

The Western Trust said: "As part of the relocation, routine water testing was carried out on the incoming cold water supply in the cooling cycle of the pasteuriser.

"Pasteurisers returned positive water results for Pseudomonas aeruginosa."

The trust said it immediately contacted various hospital neo-natal units which have been in receipt of donor milk advising them of the situation and requesting that all unused milk be disposed of.

"Pasteurisation ceased whilst essential remedial work is being carried out," it added.

"At all times the milk bank operated within NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidance.

"Nevertheless, the trust has utilised this opportunity to enhance these standards for our service."

The trust confirmed that no milk was supplied to baby units during the relocation period, therefore no babies would have come to harm as a result of this issue.

It said it was "working diligently to achieve the high standards required to recommence this service".

Breast milk has been imported by the Royal Maternity Hospital in Belfast in order to feed ill babies here.

The Belfast Trust said last week: "We are importing milk from England as an interim measure.

"We can reassure the public that there is no shortage of milk in the neo-natal unit."