MOTHERS and babies have been transferred after faulty cables caused a power cut at a major Glasgow maternity hospital.

Staff were left without power at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital after reporting the failure shortly after 9am today.

Three babies were transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children and some mothers have been transferred to other maternity units. It is understood some outpatient appointments were also affected.

The hospital, which is adjacent to Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Alexandra Parade, houses the city's main special care unit for premature babies.

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A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We responded rapidly to a power outage that occurred this morning at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.

"Our estates staff identified the cause as broken cables and a contractor is now on site to make the necessary repairs and restore the main power as quickly as possible.

"A temporary divert to other maternity units has been put in place this morning and this is affecting a very small number of women.

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"We reviewed every patient in the unit and as a precautionary measure have transferred three babies to the Royal Hospital for Children due to their particular individual needs.  All other babies remain in the unit.

"Patient safety is being maintained at all times. We would like to apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this unexpected issue."