Northern Ireland

Breast milk service back in operation following suspension

The facility in Enniskillen is operational again
The facility in Enniskillen is operational again The facility in Enniskillen is operational again

A SERVICE supplying donated breast milk to premature and seriously ill babies across Ireland is back in operation again.

The Human Milk Bank based at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen was suspended after bacteria was found in the water supply earlier this year.

Difficulties in achieving processing standards during the milk bank's relocation from Irvinestown to the Enniskillen hospital was the initial explanation for the suspension of the service.

However, it later emerged that Pseudomonas aeruginosa had been found at the facility.

The first positive test for the bacteria was on January 31 - but letters informing women that their breast milk could not be used were only issued in September.

Around 259 litres of donated milk had to be thrown away following the find.

The facility, which has been operational since 2000, provides more than over 1,500 litres of life-saving breast milk to more than 900 ill or premature babies annually.

While the facility in Enniskillen has been suspended, breast milk was imported from England as an interim measure to feed ill babies here in Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for the Western Trust last night told the BBC that many mothers have contacted the Milk Bank looking to donate milk and they are steadily building up a good supply.