C. diff inquiry findings delayed

THE FINDINGS of a public inquiry into a clostridium difficile outbreak, which claimed 18 lives at the Vale of Leven Hospital, in Dunbartonshire, is to be delayed until next year.

In total 55 people were affected by the superbug between December 2007 and June 2008, prompting the Scottish Government to launch an investigation.

As part of this, the deaths of five patients during a C. diff outbreak at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, in 2009 are also being considered in the inquiry, which was due to be released this September.

Lord Maclean, chairman of the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry has, however, requested an extension.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced the delay this week in response to a parliamentary question from the Clydebank and Milngavie MSP Gil Paterson.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Lord Maclean has indicated that, due additional time being required to examine the treatment of individual cases, and because of counsel commitments, additional time is required to prepare his final report.

“This has led to a request to extend the date of publishing the final inquiry report to May 31 2013.

“To enable Lord Maclean to fully complete the inquiry remit, I have agreed to this extension.”

The C. diff outbreak in Ninewells took hold in ward 31, an assessment ward for elderly patients.

Eight people were infected by the potentially lethal bug, five of whom died.

An investigation eventually traced the source of the infection to a patient who was known to have had the superbug when admitted to the ward.

NHS Tayside was subsequently criticised over its handling of the outbreak and an internal report showed 18 areas for improvement were identified on the ward a month before.

Patrick Mcguire, who represents the families of the 18 victims of the C. diff outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital, yesterday voiced his hopes that the delay would lead to a more thorough report.

“The families and I would very much want the job to be done properly rather than having it rushed leading to corners being cut,” he said.