Hospital warned of complacency as C.diff falls

A Scottish hospital which suffered a deadly outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C.diff) has made "rapid and very significant progress", according to an independent investigation.

But Vale of Leven Hospital, where 18 people died from the 'superbug' between December 2007 and June 2008, has been warned against becoming complacent.

Among the findings were reports that infection control procedures had been tightened, antibiotic use had decreased and that a refurbishment programme was due to be completed on schedule by May.

Commenting on the outcome of the investigation, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Improving infection prevention and control is crucially important in our hospitals, both to reduce infections such as MRSA and C.diff and increase patient confidence in the healthcare system.

"The original report into what happened at the Vale of Leven highlighted a number of important shortcomings which required to be addressed urgently. This is happening not just in Greater Glasgow and Clyde but throughout the NHS in Scotland."

During the outbreak 55 patients are believed to have contracted the C.diff virus.