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Call for inquiry into killer bug outbreak



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Published Date: 12 September 2008
NICOLA Sturgeon, the health secretary, yesterday faced fresh demands for a public inquiry into a fatal hospital bug outbreak after a Scottish Government defeat on the issue.
Labour called on Ms Sturgeon to order the inquiry into the outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire.

The Clostridium difficile infection was the main cause of death in nine patients at the hospital, and was a contributory factor in another nine.

In total, 55 people were affected by the bug between December last year and June this year. The families of the victims have been pressing for a public inquiry into the outbreak.

And last night MSPs backed a Labour motion which "supports the substantial case made by the families of Clostridium difficile victims for a public inquiry".

Earlier, in a Scottish Parliament debate, Ms Sturgeon said: "I understand entirely the call for a full public inquiry. I also want to make clear such a course of action has never been ruled out and I don't rule it out today."





The full article contains 178 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 12 September 2008 1:57 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Hospital superbugs
 
1

subrosa,

12/09/2008 07:38:39
I really don't see what a public enquiry would reveal that has not already been made public. Wouldn't the money be better spent on improving the cleanliness of our hospitals.

As a survivor of c.difficile myself I have done some research and this infection isn't new to hospitals by any means but it wasn't recognised as a cause of death. Now it is recognised as being a possible cause of death, we have to be grateful for such progress.

I do understand how the families must feel but what will they gain from a public enquiry. Names of staff? That seems to be the only detail missing from the investigation already undertaken. Will the persons responsible for the condition of the Vale of Leven be sacked? Public enquiry or no public enquiry I wouldn't put money on it.
2

Brodric,

12/09/2008 09:34:50
Agree with subrosa. A public enquiry is a total waste of money. It has already been recognised that our hospitals are not clean enough and money should be ploughed into this, not more raking over the ashes. Lets get on with putting it right.

Bringing back a stronger managerial structure would be much better with a matron at the head and with tougher ward sisters (with time to manage the ward nursing situation) and dedicated ward cleaners would also be a much better idea.

Having spent a lot of time in hospital when a bit younger, the wards were taken care of by real teams of people. This is not the case now. In fact, I wonder how it is possible for wards to run and about the poor working conditions for people forced to work together but without any cohesion.

Like subrosa, I picked up an infection in hospital, not c.diff, but very frightening. It just is not acceptable for this situation to be allowed to carry on.

Patients should be able to expect to go into clean hospitals and to have a ward team (or out patient clinic team) to be looking after them and ensuring that all conditions of care, the medical problem, psychological issues and the cleanliness of hospitals is fully taken care of.

Don't waste more money.
3

JennyA,

Scotland 16/09/2008 17:32:58
A public enquiry will be a costly exercise, but what price human lives? Hospital cleanliness is very important but it is not the only issue. I caught this terrible infection in a CLEAN ward. It is VERY transmissable and is known to be ubiquitous on hospital surfaces where it can survive for a very long time. Normal disinfectants and alcohol gels do not kill it.
The first UK C diff scandal was Stoke Mandeville 2003/04. The Health Commission produced a report 100+ pages long identifying the failures and making recommendations. This was sent to all UK NHS Trusts. The Maidstone scandal which reported identical failures generated another lengthy report. Were lessons learned? Not on your life. The attitude in Scotland was that this couldn't happen here. The Vale of Leven scandal has shown up the dangers of this self congratulatory complacency. The Trust Chief Executive had to be forced 'kicking and screaming' to apologise to the relatives of those dead patients.
A public enquiry will expose ALL the failures to public scrutiny. This will drive up the necessary improvements. There has been far too much secrecy for far too long.

 

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