Vale of Leven Hospital superbug investigation begins

An inquiry has been launched into an outbreak of superbug Clostridium difficile (C diff) that occurred at Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria, Scotland.

The hospital, part of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS trust, was the setting for Scotland's worst ever C diff outbreak when 55 people contracted the infection between 2007 and 2008, resulting in the deaths of 18 patients.

Headed by Lord MacLean, the inquiry is being held at Community Central Halls in Maryhill.

Relatives of those who died from the superbug are expected to give testimonies and the investigation will also hear evidence from survivors.

The inquiry will attempt to ascertain the circumstances that led to the outbreak at the Dunbartonshire hospital.

Julie-Anne Jamieson, secretary to the inquiry, said: "The first phase of the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry hearings will establish the factual history, including the experiences of patients and their relatives affected by C diff at the hospital.

"The next stage of the hearings will begin in the autumn and will focus on evidence from hospital staff, health board managers and experts in infection control."

Instances of C diff have fallen rapidly in recent years. In 2008-09, there were 36,095 reported cases, a decrease of 35 per cent on the year before.

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