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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| No charges over C. diff outbreak | No charges over C. diff outbreak |
| (10 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. |
| This is disgusting - someone has got to be held to account over all these deaths Steve StroudBereaved relative | This is disgusting - someone has got to be held to account over all these deaths Steve StroudBereaved relative |
| 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 also said pressure created by government targets had been partly to blame. | |
| It 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. | It was definitely a contributing factor in the deaths of a further 124, and a probable factor in another 55. |
| Geoff Martin of campaign group Health Emergency said: "This sends out completely the wrong signal. | |
| It suggests that despite more catastrophes in the NHS, individuals and organisations will not be called to account. | It suggests that despite more catastrophes in the NHS, individuals and organisations will not be called to account. |
| "It is a real kick in the teeth for the friends and relatives of those who died in this tragedy." | |
| Relatives angry | Relatives angry |
| Steve Stroud, husband of former Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker, said he was "disgusted" with the decision. | Steve Stroud, husband of former Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker, said he was "disgusted" with the decision. |
| His 77-year-old stepmother, Doreen Ford, died in Maidstone Hospital after contracting C diff. | His 77-year-old stepmother, Doreen Ford, died in Maidstone Hospital after contracting C diff. |
| Mr Stroud said: "This is disgusting. Someone has got to be held to account over all these deaths and if it is not the hospital trust, then who the hell can it be? | Mr Stroud said: "This is disgusting. Someone has got to be held to account over all these deaths and if it is not the hospital trust, then who the hell can it be? |
| "Someone really should have to carry the can over this... for no charges to be pressed is really disgusting. I can't believe it". | "Someone really should have to carry the can over this... for no charges to be pressed is really disgusting. I can't believe it". |
| 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. | 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. | The NHS Litigation Authority is dealing with more than 20 claims for compensation from families who lost loved ones in the outbreak. |