Running water at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow is to be temporarily shut off as part of efforts to clear bacteria from its drains.

Child patients, their families and staff will have to use commodes and portaloos while the work takes place over two nights this month.

Officials say the cleaning will be carried out in a phased basis over four hours from midnight on Thursday and the same time the following Thursday, November 29.

A spokesperson from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde said: "The planned chlorine dioxide dosing has been scheduled to take place during the night to minimise any disruption.

"This treatment will enable us to remove the temporary filters that were previously installed in certain wards at the Royal Hospital for Children."

The health board added "Clinicians have confirmed that there are no safety concerns and a mixture of cleaning wipes, hand gel, bottled water, portable sinks, commodes and portable toilets will be used during these short periods."

Throughout the year, the hospital has had repeated issues with a build up of biofilm in its drains, which is the same found in domestic sinks.

In October, it emerged sixteen children had their chemotherapy treatment delayed this year due to these issues on two wards.

Twenty-two youngsters, with compromised immune systems, were moved to adult wards at the neighbouring Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after the water supply problems were identified.

Parents have been told the temporary oncology ward will remain in the adult hospital until December while the work is ongoing.

Officials ordered that metal parts inside taps should be replaced with plastic ones, filters attached to the taps and the drains washed with a chlorine-based detergent.

At that time, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: " We have sought advice from UK experts on the issue as we seek to find a permanent solution and understand why this has happened."