'No excuse' over outbreak delay

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NHS Orkney has admitted it has "no excuse" for a month-long delay in reporting an outbreak of Clostridium difficile to the relevant authorities.

Two patients at Kirkwall's Balfour Hospital died - with the infectious disease described as a contributing factor - at the time of the outbreak.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has described the delay in reporting at the start of the year as "unacceptable".

The health board has revised its procedures for reporting outbreaks.