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Mandatory national reporting of clostridium difficile cases by laboratories was established in 2006. These require all NHS boards to submit clostridium difficile data to Health Protection Scotland on a monthly basis.

I am advised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that education on management of patients with clostridium difficle has been provided to all staff at ward and departmental level by Infection Control Nurses. Clostridium difficile care bundles and care plans have also been introduced at the hospital and education has been provided on the use of these documents which instruct staff on the safe management of patients. More generally, all staff at the Vale of Leven Hospital are given Infection Control Training as part of their corporate induction and new medical staff are given Infection Control education on induction.

In addition, the board’s Hand Hygiene Coordinator has audited every department at the Vale of Leven Hospital. Following this recent audit, hand hygiene training has been provided for all staff. The Cleanliness Champions programme is also in place at the hospital.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment until the independent review announced by me on 18 June 2008 has examined all the circumstances surrounding the clostridium difficile cases at the Vale of Leven. The review team’s report is due to be published by the end of July 2008.

I am advised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that following a meeting of the Outbreak Control Team on 10 June, an additional Infection Control Nurse from the Infection Control Team located at the Glasgow Western Infirmary was based at the Vale of Leven Hospital for a two-week period to help implement the actions agreed by the Outbreak Control Team. The board’s Hand Hygiene Co-ordinator was also based at the Vale of Leven Hospital for a seven day period between 12 and 26 of June.

I am advised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that prior to April 2008 there were two infection control nurses employed at the Vale of Leven Hospital - the lead nurse for Clyde (operational base) and the infection control nurse for the Vale of Leven Hospital.

The lead nurse for Clyde had responsibility for the whole of the Clyde area of the NHS board and was not solely for the Vale of Leven Hospital. The lead nurse retired and her position has been filled by an infection control nurse based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Support is also provided, as and when required, by senior infection control nurses based at the Royal Alexandria Hospital and the Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

I am advised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that periods of absence are covered by other infection control colleagues within the service.

The Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter first contacted me at my MSP e-mail account at 10:49am on 6 June.

My response to the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter was sent by e-mail at 15:46pm on 6 June.

I am advised that the Consultant Microbiologist left the Vale of Leven in early 2002. I would also refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14335 on 14 July 2008.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14365 on 14 July 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.