THE type of infections that young patients contracted in a cancer ward will not be disclosed to the public due to “criticism from families” in previous incidents, the health board has said.

Three paediatric patients being treated in ward 6A of the Queen Elizabeth Univeristy Hospital have been treated for separate and rare infections in the past month.

No further cases have emerged but the ward remains closed to new admissions and patients are being diverted to other hospitals while investigations continue by the board and Health Protection Scotland.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the type of infections contracted by single patients had previously been made public but the position had now been reviewed “due to criticism from families and lessons learned from previous incidents” that patient confidentially had been compromised.

The board said there was no no public interest reason for disclosing the information because there is no risk of transmission to other patients.

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One of the infections is said to have been related to the water supply.

Children suffering from cancer are being treated in the adult hospital while work is ongoing to upgrade ventilation in the children’s hospital.

A major government inquiry is underway after two patients, including a child suffering from cancer, contracted the Cryptoccocus infection, which is linked to pigeon droppings.

The inquiry is examining if the design planning or maintenance of the hospital has contributed to a series of infections.

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “The investigations into the infections continue.

“There have been no more confirmed cases of these unique infections which prompted the measures that we’ve previously reported.

“Whilst they relate to unique and separate cases, they are being considered and reported to Health Protection Scotland as a single investigation.

“At this stage there still remains nothing to link the infections to the ward environment or to the infection control practices within the ward.

“We are continuing to take precautions and patients are receiving the appropriate treatment.

“The ward remains open but to allow ongoing investigations to continue, the temporary divert of new patients remains in place.”