NEW Health Secretary Shona Robison has promised to implement all 75 of Lord MacLean's recommendations.

These start with a change in the law to enable the body which conducts cleanliness inspections in Scotland's hospitals to close wards if necessary.

This organisation, the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate, did not exist when the C. diff outbreak swept around the Vale of Leven Hospital.

This is not the only action point which affects the Scottish Government. They are told to ensure hospitals do not have to endure prolonged uncertainty when services are facing the axe. The Vale had gone through repeated rounds of cuts and a further shake-up, proposed by NHS GGC had to go through the SNP's new scrutiny process after they formed a minority government in 2007.

Other recommendations pick up concerns raised by patients and families when they were giving evidence to the inquiry. The report says relatives of patients diagnosed with C.diff should be given clear advice on the necessary precautions to take, including how to wash any soiled items of clothing they might take home.

Patients should also be made aware, when C.diff is diagnosed, that it can be a life-threatening condition - particularly for the elderly.

When it comes to nursing, the report says nurses in charge of wards should conduct audits of patient records to ensure they are being well kept.

Health boards need to have a straightforward process for staff who are concerned about staff shortages to raise concerns. They must also ensure that the level of medical staff is sufficient to provide "safe high quality care".

Checks need to be in place to ensure patients with hospital infections do not experience delays in their treatment.

In addition reports on infection issues identified anywhere within the UK should be reviewed by the Scottish Government.