Published: Tuesday, 19th May, 2009 11:00am

C-diff victory

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AT last, a public inquiry into the Clostridium difficile (C-diff) deaths at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

The public inquiry is a step in the right direction towards helping the families of the 18 victims understand what happened to their loved ones, but it is just that, only a step.

Scotland has fallen behind the rest of the UK in the fight against hospital superbugs.

The Scottish Government"s target for reducing C-diff by 30 per cent over the next three years is less than the NHS in England has already achieved.

There, hospitals have already achieved a 38 per cent reduction in C-diff cases in the past year.

So Scotland clearly has a long way to go in dealing with hospital superbugs.

The public inquiry is a great victory for the families.

It is testament to their efforts over many months to get justice for their loved ones.

Patients and their families have the right to expect that when they go to hospital that they will not be infected by superbugs.

What happened at the Vale of Leven Hospital is not unique, and it is not the fault of the staff who work very hard on our behalf.

There have been outbreaks of C-diff in the last few months at NHS Orkney and NHS Grampian and people have died.

The public inquiry will help the families get answers, but it must also ensure that lessons are learned by every hospital in Scotland.

MOST of you will be aware that the Scottish Prison Service is planning on locating [Carstairs killer] Thomas McCulloch in West Dunbartonshire upon his release.

I believe that he is a real danger to our community and I am doing my utmost to protect the interests of residents.

I have already met with Justice secretary, Kenny Macaskill and have written in the strongest possible terms to the Parole Board asking for a review of the case, especially in light of recent comments from criminal justice professionals, who believe that he still presents a clear and present danger to the public.

If he still represents a significant danger to others, it begs the question as to why he is being released.

I will leave no stone unturned in pursuing this matter.

Now is not the time for partisan debate amongst the parties and I would encourage all elected representatives in the area to speak with one voice.

I WOULD like to congratulate Dumbarton Football Club on gaining promotion to the Scottish Second Division after clinching the Third Division title.

This achievement is reflective of all the hard work of the players, manager and staff at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium.

And where would we be without the fans, including club mascot, Pellie the Elephant, who support the team through the good times and bad.

I wish the club all the best for next season, which will hopefully be as successful as this one.