Exclusive: Twenty-eight patients have been killed by the superbug clostridium difficile at a Glasgow hospital, leading to fears the full scale of fatal cases may be being hidden from the public.

Twenty-eight patients have been killed by the superbug clostridium difficile at a Glasgow hospital, leading to fears the full scale of fatal cases may be being hidden from the public.

The total deaths at Gartnavel directly attributed to the bug has nearly doubled over two years, and is only being revealed today even though the rate is approaching that of the high-profile outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

An MSP has raised questions over the reporting of superbug cases at the Glasgow hospital where figures show 18 people died of C diff last year alone.

The Scottish Government ordered a major inquiry into the deaths at Vale of Leven after nine people died directly from C diff in six months with the superbug contributing to a further nine fatalities between December 2007 and June last year.

Figures due out next week are expected to confirm Gartnavel, which is larger than the West Dunbartonshire hospital, had 18 deaths directly attributable to C diff and six as a contributory factor over 12 months. The previous year it had 10 deaths directly attributed to C diff and 10 as a contributory factor.

Families have also quizzed NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) over its policy of inclusion of C diff on death certificates. One only got the bug included on their mother's death certificate as contributory after months of wrangling with the health board, despite her testing positive for C diff and it being a "major factor" in her health during her final days.

Patricia Ferguson, Labour MSP for Maryhill, said: "I have asked the government how many death certificates were amended and they said none. That seems strange when I know of one. I just don't think we are getting the full story. I will be looking at the new figures when they come out."

Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University and one of the country's leading experts on infectious disease, said: "The death certificates issue was supposed to have been resolved by NHSGGC after Vale of Leven."

He said it was "wrong that a family should be in the position to have the death certificate changed" and added: "I've seen this many times. It spoils the statistics. These people get the impression it's a cover up."

A spokesman for the health board said it did not dispute the figures but added infection rates were improving and said: "Gartnavel includes the Brownlee Centre for Infectious Diseases and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, which both treat patients from across Scotland with serious medical conditions."

Questions over hygiene were also raised after the Gilmour family of Clydebank were sent home with their 89-year-old mother Edith's soiled clothing in plastic bags 15 minutes after she died, despite her testing positive for the bug. In another case a doctor treating a patient with C diff was seen to leave the bedside and return without having changed clothes.

Professor Pennington said if a patient is in isolation doctors should always remove protective clothing after each procedure, and sending patients home with soiled clothing was "bad practice".

A health board spokesman said regarding the doctor: "Strict infection control policies are in place and our staff have been made aware of their responsibility to adhere to this policy. We are therefore concerned to hear of this case and will reinforce the infection control policy to staff.

"When a family member has died our staff return personal belongings. If any items have been soiled clear instructions are given on appropriate laundering."

A Scottish Government spokesman said any C diff death was regrettable but pointed out Gartnavel was much bigger than Vale of Leven, with a large proportion of elderly patients.