CAMPAIGNERS have expressed shock after an investigation into a cluster of the deadly Clostridium difficile bug was launched, just weeks after the publication of the report into the country's worst outbreak.

 

Two hospital patients who contracted C.diff at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary have died and another14 cases of have been confirmed".

NHS Lothian revealed the pair died from underlying conditions but had tested positive for the infection.

The 14 other cases of the bug are also being investigated at the same hospital. The health board said the affected patients are being cared for in isolation and infection prevention and control procedures have been reinforced.

Samples are being tested to establish if any of the cases are linked. The wards currently remain open.

An inquiry into the outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital, in West Dunbartonshire, which claimed 34 lives, last month made 75 recommendations for improvements.

Michelle Stewart, of the C diff Justice Group, whose mother-in-law Sarah McGinty died of C diff at the hospital, said she had immediate concerns that an outbreak should occur after such high-profile recommendations.

She said: "We understand people contract C.diff. It's how its dealt with which is the issue. This is an infection which can be controlled and my immediate thoughts are the numbers involved suggest it has spread.

"Just a few weeks ago we were given strong assurances that the recommendations from the Vale of Leven inquiry were being put in place. Health boards across the country were implementing these measures.

"To hear this now so soon after the inquiry has shocked me."

Melanie Johnson, executive nurse director at NHS Lothian, said: "We have identified a cluster of C.diff at the hospital and an investigation is ongoing to establish if there is a link between the cases.

"As is usual practice, we isolate symptomatic patients, emphasise the importance of infection control precautions and undertake additional cleaning. We always act as if cases are linked and implement action to prevent cross transmission.

"Our robust surveillance procedures meant that we were able to identify these cases quickly and take the appropriate action."

Any affected patients in the ward and their relatives have been told about the infection, the health board said.

Last month, an inquiry into the deadly Vale of Leven C.diff outbreak found the bug was a factor in the deaths of 34 out of 143 patients who had tested positive for the infection at the hospital in 2007 and 2008.

Levels of the C.diff bug among hospital patients have, however, fallen in recent years, statistics show.

Meanwhile, a ward at the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary has been shut temporarily due to an outbreak of sickness and diarrhoea.

Ward 16 has been closed to new admissions, transfers and routine visiting, NHS Dumfries and Galloway confirmed.

Five patients and one member of staff have symptoms of sickness and/or diarrhoea, health chiefs said.

Norovirus is not confirmed at this stage.

The hospital's infection control team is monitoring the situation and appropriate infection control procedures have been put in place.