A HOSPITAL'S plan for a birthing pool for expectant mothers has been put on hold after fears a leak could shut the building for up to three weeks.

NHS Western Isles is now searching for a new location for the pool.

The board had planned to site it in the maternity unit at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, Lewis.

However, that room is directly above the electrical supply hub and any leaks could cause huge problems.

The birthing pool is proposed as part of the hospital's modernisation project.

It has long been recognised that warm water can help women in labour.

Currently, a birthing pool is only available as part of a home-birth plan on Lewis.

A spokeswoman for NHS Western Isles said: "The risk assessment carried out regarding the impact and severity of a failure or substantial leak from a pool unfortunately ruled out the maternity unit option.

"While the likelihood of a failure or substantial leak is low, the potential impact of such an incident would be disastrous and could mean the only hospital on the island of Lewis could potentially be out of commission in its entirety for up to three weeks."

Funding for a birthing pool has been earmarked in the current financial year in anticipation of an acceptable revised proposal in terms of risk, she added.