The discovery of bacteria in the water supply for breast milk has led to the suspension of the service supplying donated breast milk to seriously ill or premature babies.

Testing of the cold water supply to the pasteuriser found bacteria in the water.

The Human Milk Bank is situated at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. It was relocated from Irvinestown in January of this year.

The service has been suspended for the last seven months as maintenance work is carried out.

A spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) said: “The Milk Bank relocated to more suitable accommodation in the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen on January 29, 2018. Regretfully, the Trust encountered difficulties achieving processing standards during this relocation period and donor milk had to be disposed of.

“The Milk Bank will work diligently to achieve the understandably high standards required to assist vulnerable and sick babies and children and will recommence the service at the earliest opportunity. We would like to thank all of our donors for their continued support, as it is only with their help that this invaluable service can continue.”

Breast milk helps to build up babies immune system and helps to protect the gut from ruprturing. Donors received a letter from the milk bank letting them know their donations could not be used. It went on to inform donors of the relocation to new accommodation and how there were difficulties achieving processing standards during the relocation period.

Neo natal units were contacted by the Trust and informed to dispose of any unused milk which resulted in 259 litres of donated milk being thrown away.

The Western Trust discovered the bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa in the water supply.

The bacteria is resistant to many of the most common antibiotics while it can lead to an array of infections in those with a weak immune system such as newborn babies.

Following, news about the contamination of Breast milk, Rosemary Barton MLA, said: “It is very concerning that this service has been suspended for the past seven months, while breast milk for premature or very young babies need to be of the highest cleanliness standard, it is very worrying that the Western Trust are still having difficulty managing the contamination factor, or getting to the source of it after such a period of time. There is a significant query as to how this contamination has arisen and why it has not been possible for the Western Trust to resolve the issue.

This milk bank provides a lifeline for many babies, and this contamination issue now needs to be treated with immediate urgency.”

The Milk Bank has been open since 2000 with more than 1500 litres of milk processed through it every year and had called on an increase in donations in 2016.