Nurses questioned over C.diff outbreak

Nurses are to be questioned by police following an outbreak of Clostridium difficile at a Scottish hospital which has been linked the death of 18 people.

A spate of infections at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria, West Dumbartonshire is also thought to have affected 55 other people between December 2007 and June 2008.

The nurses are now said to be seeking legal advice before they face questioning by Strathclyde Police.

Norman Provan of the Royal College of Nurses Scotland, told Nursing Standard magazine: "As this is a very difficult time for staff in the Vale of Leven, we are offering support to all our members.

"For those who are asked to be interviewed by police, we are making arrangements for them to meet with our legal advisers prior to being interviewed."

Dumbarton Police Station has established a major incident room to deal with the investigation and will include both police and officers from the Health and Safety Executive.