Published: Tuesday, 17th June, 2008 09:30
Vale superbug families' legal action threat
By Staff Reporter
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THE grieving families of victims of the killer superbug at the Vale of Leven Hospital could unite to take the health board to task.
Possible legal action against Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) is being discussed.
This is fuelled by a belief that something must be done to prevent others from suffering the way they have.
Following the GGC’s announcement into the full extent of the spread of gut bacterium Clostridium difficile — or C-diff at the Vale — three families have told the Reporter that they are interested in meeting each other to discuss what to do next.
GGC revealed that more than 50 patients were treated for the highly contagious bug at the Vale, with 22 of them subsequently dying, over a seven-month period.
This week, the Reporter spoke again to five families who have lost loved ones.
The families have made initial contact with each other about their experiences in dealing with C-diff, while the relatives of an 86-year-old Dumbarton grandmother who died from the virus in the Vale in January, say they are considering their next steps.
The son-in-law of the woman, who did not wish to be named, told the Reporter: “It is quite frankly appalling that, not only have we and the other families been patronised by GGC’s management, but this is now tantamount to treating us with contempt.
“We will be giving careful consideration, along, I am sure, with the other families, as to what our next moves will be in getting to the bottom of how C-diff has been allowed to take our loved ones from us.”
A spokeswoman for Nicola Sturgeon, the cabinet secretary for Health, said: “The cabinet secretary is considering an independent inquiry in light of the internal review of cases of GGC and she is going to make an emergency statement in parliament next week.”
For the full story see this week's Reporter
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