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No charges over C. diff outbreak No charges over C. diff outbreak
(9 minutes later)
No-one is to face charges in connection with an outbreak of Clostridium difficile which left 90 people dead.No-one is to face charges in connection with an outbreak of Clostridium difficile which left 90 people dead.
The deaths occurred at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust in Kent between April 2004 and September 2006.The deaths occurred at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust in Kent between April 2004 and September 2006.
A Healthcare Commission report into the deaths highlighted serious lapses in hygiene, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson called the deaths "scandalous".A Healthcare Commission report into the deaths highlighted serious lapses in hygiene, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson called the deaths "scandalous".
But Kent Police and the Health and Safety Executive ruled out charges following an investigation.But Kent Police and the Health and Safety Executive ruled out charges following an investigation.
In its report, the Healthcare Commission said a "litany" of errors in infection control had caused the "avoidable tragedy".In its report, the Healthcare Commission said a "litany" of errors in infection control had caused the "avoidable tragedy".
It said nurses at the trust were too rushed to wash hands and left patients to lie in their own excrement.It said nurses at the trust were too rushed to wash hands and left patients to lie in their own excrement.
It also found bedpans that had been washed still contained visible traces of faeces.It also found bedpans that had been washed still contained visible traces of faeces.
Beds were also much too close together and patients with infection were being treated on open wards instead of in isolation.Beds were also much too close together and patients with infection were being treated on open wards instead of in isolation.
The Healthcare Commission concluded that C.diff - a bacterial infection of the gut which mainly affects the elderly - was definitely or probably the main cause of death for 90 patients at the trust.
It was definitely a contributing factor in the deaths of a further 124, and a probable factor in another 55.
The trust's chief executive, Rose Gibb, resigned over the scandal.The trust's chief executive, Rose Gibb, resigned over the scandal.
At the time of her resignation, the the health secretary told the trust to freeze her severance deal and seek legal advice on how to withdraw from providing her with any further remuneration. The dispute is ongoing.
The NHS Litigation Authority is dealing with more than 20 claims for compensation from families who lost loved ones in the outbreak.