This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8012776.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| C.diff deaths inquiry announced | C.diff deaths inquiry announced |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Scotland's health secretary has ordered an independent public inquiry into a fatal outbreak of Clostridium difficile at a Dunbartonshire hospital. | Scotland's health secretary has ordered an independent public inquiry into a fatal outbreak of Clostridium difficile at a Dunbartonshire hospital. |
| A total of 55 people at the Vale of Leven hospital were affected by the infection, and 18 patients died, between December 2007 and June 2008. | A total of 55 people at the Vale of Leven hospital were affected by the infection, and 18 patients died, between December 2007 and June 2008. |
| An initial review of procedures at the hospital found "inadequate" infection controls. | An initial review of procedures at the hospital found "inadequate" infection controls. |
| The inquiry will be chaired by former High Court judge Lord Coulsfield. | The inquiry will be chaired by former High Court judge Lord Coulsfield. |
| It will get under way after investigations currently being carried out by police, the Health and Safety Executive and prosecutors have been completed. | It will get under way after investigations currently being carried out by police, the Health and Safety Executive and prosecutors have been completed. |
| Nothing can bring back the 18 people who died during this outbreak, but I hope holding a public inquiry will offer some comfort and reassurance Nicola SturgeonScottish health secretary | Nothing can bring back the 18 people who died during this outbreak, but I hope holding a public inquiry will offer some comfort and reassurance Nicola SturgeonScottish health secretary |
| The Crown Office is expected to make a decision by the end of June on whether there will be criminal proceedings. | The Crown Office is expected to make a decision by the end of June on whether there will be criminal proceedings. |
| Families who lost loved ones in the outbreak welcomed the decision - while Labour branded it a "climbdown". | Families who lost loved ones in the outbreak welcomed the decision - while Labour branded it a "climbdown". |
| Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon - who has never ruled out a public inquiry - previously expressed concern that pressing ahead with one could cause problems for the on-going police probe. | |
| She said significant improvements at the hospital, overseen by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, had been made since the incident. | She said significant improvements at the hospital, overseen by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, had been made since the incident. |
| But she said there was further room for improvement, adding: "Nothing can bring back the 18 people who died during this outbreak, but I hope holding a public inquiry will offer some comfort and reassurance to families that lessons have been learned." | But she said there was further room for improvement, adding: "Nothing can bring back the 18 people who died during this outbreak, but I hope holding a public inquiry will offer some comfort and reassurance to families that lessons have been learned." |
| Clostridium difficile (C.diff) was identified as the primary cause of death in nine patients and a contributory factor in another nine. | Clostridium difficile (C.diff) was identified as the primary cause of death in nine patients and a contributory factor in another nine. |
| Michelle Stewart, whose mother-in-law Sarah McGinty was one of the victims, said the announcement was a "tremendous victory". | Michelle Stewart, whose mother-in-law Sarah McGinty was one of the victims, said the announcement was a "tremendous victory". |
| She added: "A public inquiry will mean we can finally put the matter to rest because, at last, we will know the truth about how our loved ones died." | She added: "A public inquiry will mean we can finally put the matter to rest because, at last, we will know the truth about how our loved ones died." |
| 'Full involvement' | 'Full involvement' |
| Ms Stewart, also secretary of the families' C.diff Justice Group, said: "It will mean no other families will have to go through the agonies we have all suffered since the outbreak started claiming lives 18 months ago." | Ms Stewart, also secretary of the families' C.diff Justice Group, said: "It will mean no other families will have to go through the agonies we have all suffered since the outbreak started claiming lives 18 months ago." |
| Ms Sturgeon promised to report back to parliament at a later date on the scope of the inquiry, but Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie said there had already been too many delays. | Ms Sturgeon promised to report back to parliament at a later date on the scope of the inquiry, but Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie said there had already been too many delays. |
| "This parliament called for a public inquiry last September," he said. | "This parliament called for a public inquiry last September," he said. |
| "It has taken the health secretary more than six months just to announce an inquiry - but she can't tell us what this inquiry will look at." | "It has taken the health secretary more than six months just to announce an inquiry - but she can't tell us what this inquiry will look at." |
| Labour health spokeswoman Cathy Jamieson said: "Scottish Labour has welcomed the fact Nicola Sturgeon has finally bowed to pressure and announced a public inquiry on C.difficile. | Labour health spokeswoman Cathy Jamieson said: "Scottish Labour has welcomed the fact Nicola Sturgeon has finally bowed to pressure and announced a public inquiry on C.difficile. |
| "It is shameful the families had to wait so long for this climbdown." | "It is shameful the families had to wait so long for this climbdown." |
| Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency takes in the Vale of Leven, welcomed the announcement. | Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency takes in the Vale of Leven, welcomed the announcement. |
| But she added: "We now need to ensure that the families are fully involved in the inquiry and that broad lessons are learned to make our hospitals safer." | But she added: "We now need to ensure that the families are fully involved in the inquiry and that broad lessons are learned to make our hospitals safer." |
| The Tories' Jackson Carlaw said the Scottish Government's approach was sensible, adding: "With a police investigation underway, Scottish Conservatives took the view the announcement of a public inquiry would better follow than precede the conclusion of that police investigation." | The Tories' Jackson Carlaw said the Scottish Government's approach was sensible, adding: "With a police investigation underway, Scottish Conservatives took the view the announcement of a public inquiry would better follow than precede the conclusion of that police investigation." |
| The move was welcomed by nursing body RCN Scotland. | The move was welcomed by nursing body RCN Scotland. |
| Ms Sturgeon, who recently announced 600 extra cleaners were to be taken on by the NHS, has made the issue of hospital cleanliness her top priority. | Ms Sturgeon, who recently announced 600 extra cleaners were to be taken on by the NHS, has made the issue of hospital cleanliness her top priority. |