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Action to tackle C.diff
07/08/2008
Recommendations published from two separate investigative reports commissioned following a fatal outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) at the Vale of Leven Hospital will be accepted in full.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon gave that guarantee today, and signalled her determination to ensure a reinvigorated and robust approach at all levels of the NHS to control C.difficile and other healthcare associated infections.
In relation to the findings of the Vale of Leven Hospital Review, Ms Sturgeon made clear she expects NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GG&C) to give a clear commitment on the future of the hospital to dispel any doubts in the minds of staff or patients about its future - doubts that according to the review have lingered for 10 years.
This commitment must also include guaranteed sustainability of services there, and new arrangements implemented for clinical leadership and accountability, surveillance and infection control.
Ms Sturgeon said:
"The Independent Review and the HPS reports confirm the C.difficile mortality rate at the Vale was significantly higher than the national average. There were peaks in cases that should have triggered investigative action - but no effective local surveillance was in place.
"The picture painted by the independent report of the facilities and procedures at the Vale of Leven is appalling and unacceptable and there should be no doubt NHS GG&C owe the patients and the families concerned an unconditional apology.
"I would like to thank all the families involved for their open and constructive contribution to the work of the Review team. Their messages stand out clearly, and I can assure them we are listening and acting."
On the wider implications for all Health Boards Ms Sturgeon has asked the HAI Task Force, chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer, to ensure that a robust approach in infection control is implemented across Scotland through a comprehensive action plan.
This action plan will include all the recommendations made by both the Independent Review of cases of C.difficile at the Vale of Leven, and the wider examination of C.difficile reports across all health boards undertaken by Health Protection Scotland (HPS).
The Healthcare Associated Infection Task Force will ensure:
- Continued actions to reduce infections
- Further extension of mandatory surveillance of C.difficile is introduced
- Consistency and robustness of local surveillance and reporting are implemented across all Health Boards
- Assertive promotion of good antibiotic prescribing
- New reporting obligations on all Health Boards
- A 'zero-tolerance' approach to non-compliance with hand hygiene by NHS staff
Ms Sturgeon said:
"We must ensure greater emphasis on the development of standardised local surveillance which is robust, sensitive and reliable in identifying situations which require further investigation. All Boards will now produce two monthly reports checked against a standard national template.
"NHS Boards should be in no doubt - leadership, governance and accountability are the means by which patients and the families can have confidence in our hospitals."
The Scottish Government's HAI Task Force is responsible for taking the HAI work forward and embarked on a third programme of work for the period from March 2008 to April 2011.
The HAI Task Force was formed in January 2003 and is now led by the Chief Nursing Officer. The remit of the Task Force is to:
- Co-ordinate the development and implementation of the HAI Action Plan
- Review progress in its implementation across the NHS in Scotland
- Monitor the levels of HAI and assess the impact on them of control measures
- Take forward amendments to the action plan or its component initiatives
- Report on progress to the Minister of Health and Community Care and annually through the Chief Medical Officer's report, to the general public