C.diff families feel 'frozen out'

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Families of the victims of the C.diff outbreak at a Dunbartonshire hospital claim they have been "frozen out" of an official inquiry.

Opposition parties also accused Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon of attempting to "strait-jacket" the public inquiry.

A total of 55 people developed C.diff and 18 people died after the outbreak at the Vale of Leven in December 2007.

But Ms Sturgeon insisted she hoped the probe would "bring answers for all the families" involved.

Too narrow

The remit of the inquiry, which is expected to begin in the next few months and report back within a year, was outlined by Ms Sturgeon.

It will look at the circumstances surrounding Clostridium difficile rates at the Vale of Leven.

It will examine the effectiveness of "management and clinical response", including "steps taken to prevent or reduce the spread of infection".

Michelle Stewart, whose mother-law died after contracting the bug at Vale of Leven, said: "We are very angry that we have been frozen out yet again, especially since we believe the inquiry must have a wider remit to come up with the answers we need.

"We were guaranteed that we would have the chance to sit down with the chairman before the terms of reference were announced."

The group did meet initial chairman Lord Coulsfield before he stepped down - but not new chairman Lord MacLean.

Nine people died directly from C diff over a six-month period at Vale of Leven Hospital and the bug contributed to nine others.

Opposition parties said the inquiry's remit was too narrow and called for it to be widened.

The terms also enable the inquiry to refer to other experiences of C diff in Scotland or elsewhere Nicola SturgeonHealth Secretary

Labour MSP for Dumbarton, Jackie Baillie, said: "Nicola Sturgeon's attempt to strait-jacket the public inquiry into C difficile suggests she is afraid of the truth.

"The terms of reference have not even mentioned an investigation of any of the actions of Health Protection Scotland or any other part of NHS Scotland, who ultimately have responsibility for tackling C diff."

Lib Dem health spokesman Jamie Stone added: "The announced terms give scope for the inquiry to examine other cases, but the health secretary should make sure of this by making it a specific part of the remit for the inquiry."

The circumstances surrounding C diff death rates at the Vale of Leven from January 2007 onwards is a priority for the inquiry, but particularly from December 2007 to June 2008.

The systems in place at the hospital to identify cases and outbreaks and inform the public will also be examined.

The inquiry will also look at what lessons should be learned with reference to experience "within and beyond Scotland" of C diff infection.

"The terms also enable the inquiry to refer to other experiences of C diff in Scotland or elsewhere," Ms Sturgeon said.

"I hope this inquiry brings answers for all the families devastated by these deaths and ensures any lessons are shared across NHS Scotland to prevent an outbreak like this from ever happening again."