Patients in Manchester told to stay away, operations cancelled and doctors buy bottled water to wash hands after water supply dries up at four major hospitals

The problem is understood to be affecting Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children‘s Hospital and Saint Mary’s.

Almost all operations scheduled for Monday morning have been cancelled due to the water shortage which was caused by a major water leak on nearby Oxford Road.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement: "We are currently experiencing problems with water supply due to a mains leak off site.

"We are urging patients not to attend these hospitals for the time being unless there is an urgent clinical need.

"The hospitals affected are Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

"We are cancelling all operations planned for tomorrow morning as a precaution, apart from cancer and any urgent operations.

"We will be endeavouring to contact all patients affected this evening. These operations will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

"We would like to thank all patients and staff for their co-operation at this time."

United Utilities say the leak has left the M13 and M14 postcodes, which include the central Manchester hospital site, without any water.

One parent, whose child is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Mary’s, said: “It’s worrying.

“The water had gone and there was no plan in place.

“We got told that the obstetricians were having to buy bottled water to wash their hands.

“These are really sick babies, and there’s a high risk of infection.”

The parent said the water was out for between two and three hours.

Another patient, said: “They came in around 5pm and told us there was no water so we couldn’t use the toilets or showers.

“They said it was the entire site, not just MRI.

“They also couldn’t administer certain medication because they needed water for some.

“It seems to be back now but I can’t see how five United Utility tanks are going to keep it going.”

United Utilities said it has sent five water tankers to Oxford Road to help pump supplies back to the area.

A statement on the company's website today said: “Due to the complex nature of the repair to the burst water main on Oxford Road, work will be on-going throughout the course of the afternoon.

“Our team of engineers will remain onsite working hard to restore your water supply.

“Whilst the repairs continue we have five water tankers on site pumping water into the pipes, to help keep some water flowing through your taps.

“However, you may find your water doesn’t flow as much as normal.

“We’ll update this message as soon as the repairs have been completed. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”