Apology made over C.diff outbreak

Tom Divers said there was a "clear need" to apologise to families

Health officials have apologised to patients and families affected by the worst ever outbreak of Clostridium difficile in Scotland.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) made the gesture after an independent inquiry criticised conditions at Vale of Leven Hospital in Dunbartonshire.

The report blamed inadequate infection control procedures and poor hygiene.

Nine patients died as a direct result of the infection, with C.diff cited as a "contributory factor" in nine others.

The report also said there had been poor monitoring and implementation of policy on the use of antibiotics.

C.diff causes diarrhoea and is linked to poor hygiene and the over-use of antibiotics.

NHS GGC chief executive, Tom Divers, responded to Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon's call on Thursday for the authority to make an "unconditional apology" to those affected by the outbreak between December 2007 and June 2008.

He said: "There are clearly lessons that have been learned and a clear need for me now, on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to apologise to the families affected.

I can today give a commitment that this board will bring forward proposals in August and September that will set out a clear vision for the future of the Vale of Leven site that can then be the subject of public debate over the next few months Tom Divers Chief Executive NHS GGC

"I recognise the concerns of relatives of patients that they were not properly informed every step of the way of the infection and how to help protect themselves and others from the risk of infection.

"I have instructed infection control teams and senior managers to take action on these valid complaints."

Mr Divers said he recognised the report's criticisms of poor hand washing facilities and spacing between beds at the hospital and had ordered immediate improvements.

He also said that a new system for "surveillance of infections" had been introduced across all of the authority's hospitals.

Changes to GGC management structure in the Clyde area were made following the outbreak.

Family representation

Mr Divers said further changes would be brought in to "reinforce leadership and accountability" and to "ensure clear lines of communication" among staff.

Charge nurses will be given extra support and authority to implement infection control measures.

A full review of existing infection control structures will also be undertaken.

Families who were affected during the outbreak at Vale of Leven will be invited to be represented during the process.

Mr Divers admitted that uncertainty over the future of the hospital had been a factor "in the lack of major modernisation investments".

He added: "I can today give a commitment that this board will bring forward proposals in August and September that will set out a clear vision for the future of the Vale of Leven site that can then be the subject of public debate over the next few months."