'Serious questions' over deaths

Ms Sturgeon will make a statement to MSPs following the cases

There is a "compelling case" for an independent inquiry at a hospital where eight patients died from C. difficile, according to the health secretary.

Nicola Sturgeon also said serious questions had to be asked of the authority running the Vale of Leven Hospital in Dunbartonshire.

An investigation into C. diff cases between December and June found 54 patients had contracted the bug.

A review of procedures at the hospital, in Alexandria, has been launched.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde launched an inquiry in May due to fears the infection had been passed between the Vale of Leven Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

It found higher than expected levels of C. diff, or Clostridium difficile, in January, February and May.

People were dying in January and February, yet we only had a review in May Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton

A total of eight of the patients who contracted the virulent bug - which can cause serious intestinal infections such as colitis - died as a direct result and it was a contributory factor in a further eight deaths.

Ms Sturgeon told BBC Scotland's Politics Show action should have been taken before May, adding: "That's obviously why very serious questions have to be asked of the procedures and the protocols and the systems in place."

The health secretary, who will make a statement to parliament on the issue on Wednesday, said she was giving "serious thought" to an independent inquiry, adding: "I think there is a compelling case to be made for that."

Ms Sturgeon also revealed that she was only informed of the "look-back" review of the cases on Tuesday 10 June, and that the Scottish Government was advised in late May of the health board investigation into the C. diff cases.

Of the 54 patients treated, 13 had the infection on admission.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has launched a review which included looking again at hygiene procedures at the Vale of Leven and the use of antibiotics, which are known to reduce the body's natural defences against C. diff.

Labour Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said only an independent inquiry would satisfy local people.

She told BBC Scotland: "It was picked up far too late in the day. People were dying in January and February, yet we only had a review in May and it's only now, in June, that something's been done about it."