But Mr Russell has now insisted that patients can safely use the drinking water and have showers at the hospital. “CPE is generally not a risk to healthy people but can be dangerous for vulnerable hospital patients or those with compromised immunity,” he said. He said CPE was a challenge across the NHS but had been a particular problem at Darlington Memorial Hospital, partly because of the age of the building. The front of Darlington Memorial Hospital (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)The trust is also carrying out work to replace sinks and improve showers across the hospital. The latest update follows more than three years of efforts to control CPE at Darlington Memorial Hospital.