Minister Offers Condolences to Babies' Families

Health Minister Edwin Poots has sent his sympathies to the families of the two young babies who died at the Royal Maternity Hospital.
~ Thursday, 19 January 2012

He said: "Firstly, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the parents and families of those grieving at the loss of their baby. I am distressed to hear about these deaths and my first thoughts are with those parents and families.

"This is a serious incident.The priority now is to identify the source of the infection and minimise the risk of spread to other extremely vulnerable babies in the unit. I have asked the Trust to work with the Public Health Agency to ensure all necessary steps are swiftly taken to identify the source of the infection so that we contain it and reduce the risk of spreading.

"I have asked the Belfast Trust and the Public Health Agency to keep me fully informed. I have also directed the Health and Social Care Board to work with the Trust to minimise any potential impact on the availability of neonatal intensive care cots. "

Notes to Editor

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