January, 2007:
December 2008: Scotland's worst outbreak of clostridium dificile infects 143 patients at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire. The bug is a contributory factor in 34 patients' deaths.
May 2, 2008: The national Reference Laboratory alerts the Vale of Leven Hospital to two cases of C.diff identified as the deadly 027 strain.
May 21, 2008: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Infection Control Team become aware that, since August 2007, there have been a total of six cases of the 027 strain identified from samples across the Clyde area. Three share a common link to the Vale of Leven. Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Government are informed.
May 22, 2008: The health board investigates the three linked cases and that one of the patients had died in March 2008.
June, 2008: A review conducted by NHSGGC identifies a total of 54 cases of C.diff infection dating back to December 2007. The estimated death toll is increased to 18.
October, 2009: A public inquiry into the outbreak is launched.
February 2010: The first hearing in the C.diff inquiry is held at Dunbarton Sheriff Court. It ends in June 2012.
June, 2014: It emerges the total cost of the long-running inquiry, and its repeatedly delayed final report, now stands at almost £10 million.
November 24, 2014: Final report published.
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