There will be no admissions of patients with leukaemia and certain other cancers to St James's Hospital, Dublin, for some months, due to infection in its haematology/oncology unit.
The National Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, which is within the unit, will also cancel admissions following the discovery of an antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
The infection has been identified in 11 of the 26 patients in the 31-bed unit. Some of them have not suffered any symptoms. Arrangements are being made for eight patients needing immediate marrow transplants to be treated at other centres in the State and in Britain or North America.
Last night the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, expressed concern that the very valuable work carried out at the National Bone Marrow Transplant Unit had been suspended. It has carried out 420 transplants.
Prof Shaun McCann, director of the transplant unit, said VRE bacteria lived in the bowel and could be present in up to 30 per cent of people without symptoms. However, in very ill patients undergoing high doses of chemotherapy, it could enter the bloodstream and cause serious illness.
"These bacteria have emerged as a problem in many similar units worldwide over the past number of years. They are resistant to certain antibiotics but they can be treated effectively," he said.
He said a deficit of trained medical and nursing staff had militated against preventing the spread of the infection but Mr Martin had assured him that this issue would be addressed immediately.
A statement from the hospital emphasised that the VRE-related illness was confined to the 31-bed haematology/oncology unit.
St James's patients having ongoing treatment for leukaemia and cancer are continuing to be treated in the hospital. Arrangements are being made by the Eastern Regional Health Authority to have new cases of leukaemia, testicular cancer, lymphomas and multiple myeloma in younger patients, which would normally be treated at St James's, referred to other Dublin hospitals.
It is estimated that it will take a number of months before the St James's centre may re-commence new admissions.
St James's Hospital has set up a freephone information line for concerned patients, their families and doctors. It is: 1800-200 849.