AN expert is to be called in to try and find out how the Legionella bacteria entered the water supply at a Worcester hospital site.
The bug, which does not pose a threat to human health, was discovered in the east wing of the Elgar Mental Health Unit at Newtown Hospital.
The wing is currently closed due to refurbishments and the bacteria was found during routine testing of the water supply.
Robert Hipwell, corporate services director, told members of the Worcestershire Community and Mental Health NHS Trust board that the bacteria was only present in the east wing and not the west wing.
"We'll be looking, with a specialist, at why it has happened," he said at a meeting yesterday.
Trust chairman John Calvert said it had inherited the building which was not in a very good condition.
The Trust had already spent £350,000 on rectifying a problem with asbestos, he added.
Mr Hipwell added that the refurbishment work carried out on the west wing was money very well spent.
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