SCOTLAND'S largest private hospital cancelled tests on almost 50 patients after discovering bacteria in a machine for cleaning equipment.

Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, which is part of BMI Healthcare, postponed endoscopy procedures - which involve a video camera being inserted inside the body.

They took the decision after a small amount of bacteria was detected in the machine which washes the filming devices, known as endoscopes.

A spokeswoman for Ross Hall Hospital said: "Patient safety is our absolute priority. When a small amount of bacteria was detected in water supplies to our endoscopy unit at Ross Hall, during routine testing, we temporarily paused endoscopy procedures as a precaution. All endoscopies are now back to normal and the water supplies have been given the all-clear."

Between Monday July 4 and Monday July 25, 47 patients were told their procedures had been cancelled. BMI Healthcare said those affected would have their appointments rebooked.

The endoscope washer was flushed and samples re-tested before the green light was given for procedures to resume.

Endoscopes cost thousands of pounds and are made up of narrow flexible channels which have to be decontaminated between patients.

Dr Alastair McKinlay, a consultant gastroenterologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, said: "All endoscopy units carry out regular checks on their water supply and it is not uncommon for there to be contamination with the water supply from time to time."

He added that decontamination of endoscopes was taken "extremely seriously" by all units reflecting the high priority given to patient safety.

Watchdog Healthcare Improvement Scotland, which is responsible for regulating and inspecting independent healthcare providers in Scotland, has been in touch with Ross Hall about the problem.

A spokesman for HIS said: "We have spoken to Ross Hall Hospital about this incident and are content that the service followed the correct procedure when their water hygiene test sampling highlighted that there was an issue with the quality of water. We will continue to monitor the hospital to ensure that standards continue to improve.”