THE  Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has been challenged over the safety of a cancer ward after three young patients contracted rare infections over the past two weeks.

Labour's health spokeswoman Monica Lennon has written to Ms Freeman, questioning if children should continue to be treated in ward 6a of the adult hospital.

A ventilation system upgrade in two cancer wards at the children's hospital is still to be completed.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said there is nothing to indicate the latest infections are linked to the ward and said infection rates are within normal levels.

Read more: Health board reassures parents cancer ward is 'absolutely safe' after latest infection scare 

Labour's health spokeswoman said: "Jeane Freeman did not hesitate in blocking the transfer of children to the new Edinburgh Sick Kids because she didn’t want to take any chance with safety.

"Is she satisfied that children in Glasgow’s hospitals, notwithstanding the infections and deaths that we know of, are safe?

Read more: Two more children struck down with rare infections at children's hospital 

"I’ve written to her asking if she has any plans to order the closure of Ward 6a and if she thinks it’s acceptable that children who are already very ill should have to be treated with antibiotics, as a precaution, because it is feared the hospital might expose them to rare and serious infections?”

“I ask that you consider whether, until the upgrades at the Royal Hospital for Children are completed, it can truly be guaranteed for young people with cancer at the QEUH site.”