Published: Tuesday, 5th August, 2008 10:30
C-diff families anxious wait 'for the truth'
By Mike Farrell and Andrew Gibson
Print Article
Vale of Leven Hospital
ANXIOUS family members of C-diff victims are hoping a report, due out this week, will uncover ‘the truth’ behind the outbreak.
The Independent Review Team, investigating the cause of the superbug crisis at the Vale of Leven Hospital, is set to outline its findings in the coming days.
Family members, united by the tragedy, are hopeful that an explanation for the spread of the potentially-fatal bug will be revealed.
The chairman of the C-diff Justice Group, who asked not to be named, say the families feel tense over the publication.
He told the Reporter: “Right now we are playing a wait and see game — the bereaved families feel in limbo as they wait for the findings.
“We are open-minded at this stage about what we expect from the review, but the bottom line as far as we are concerned is that if this does not give us satisfactory answers, then we will continue to pursue a public inquiry through legal channels.
“It will not bring our loved ones back, but it might help to prevent it happening to other families — that is why we are so anxious at this time.”
The justice group will meet with Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Health and Well-being secretary, on Thursday, where it will be able to see the findings of the Independent Review Team before they are publicly released.
Michelle Stewart, also of the justice group, told the Reporter: “Hopefully the truth will come out, the families deserve to know if anyone was at fault."
When the review was announced by Ms Sturgeon, it was to “identify the circumstances that led to the situation at the Vale of Leven Hospital”.
The review team consists of Professor Cairns Smith, from the public health department at Aberdeen University, Professor Mary Henry, nurse director of NHS National Services Scotland, and Doctor Gabby Phillips, an NHS Tayside consultant medical microbiologist.
The team has visited the Vale and conducted interviews with the families affected by the outbreak.
Fifty-five people have been treated for C-diff at the Vale of Leven Hospital since December 1, 2007. More than 20 of those have subsequently died.
The Reporter believes that nine have died as a direct result of contracting the infection, while nine have C-diff listed as a contributory factor to their death.
GGC declined to comment before the report’s release.
Meanwhile, Hospitalwatch chairman Jim Moohan, has urged staff from the Vale of Leven Hospital to attend a special meeting on Saturday August 16 at the Denny Civic Theatre in Dumbarton.
The gathering will allow all staff to hear from unions and campaigners, as well as voice their own opinion on the future of the Alexandria hospital.
It is hoped a clear message will be sent to health bosses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board (GGC) that staff are willing to fight for the future of their hospital.
Jim Moohan, Hospitalwatch chairman, told the Reporter staff must gather their own momentum.
He said: “The next consultation (unscheduled medical care) is the last one, so we are now entering into the most critical stage of the hospital’s future.
“After that the cabinet secretary will determine the hospital’s future.
“The community has done as much as it can, but the staff must gather their own momentum and send a clear message to the cabinet secretary to say we are willing to fight for our jobs, our livelihood and our hospital.
For the full story see this week's Reporter.
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