Works are under way at a Lanarkshire hospital after traces of mould were identified.

The issue was uncovered while testing the ventilation system at of University Hospital Monklands (UHM).

Patients from ward 16, the room affected, were moved to ward 15 after testing identified traces of aspergillus.

These patients are vulnerable.

Those who were in ward 15 originally, will be moved to the oncology outpatient unit at University Hospital Hairmyres (UHH).

The hospital said some works need to be carried out on ward 15 before this move can take place.

These will start following the appropriate measures for the outpatients to attend UHH, including any transport needs for individual patients.

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Lynn Mack, NHS Lanarkshire Cancer Services Manager, said: “As soon as aspergillus was identified we took active steps to carry out further testing and identify the necessary steps we needed to take to allow us to provide the safest environment we can for some of our most vulnerable patients.

“NHS Lanarkshire follows the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections (ARHAI) Scotland guidance and all standard infection prevention and control measures are in place to keep patients and staff safe.”

Aspergillus is a common mould, a type of fungus, that lives indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in aspergillus spores every day without getting sick.

However, people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to aspergillus.