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Warning over new form of C.diff Warning over new form of C.diff
(about 23 hours later)
A Labour MSP has warned of a "potentially more dangerous" form of the Clostridium difficile (C.diff) bug in Scottish hospitals.A Labour MSP has warned of a "potentially more dangerous" form of the Clostridium difficile (C.diff) bug in Scottish hospitals.
Jackie Baillie said there had been 16 cases of the strain of the bug, known as Type 078, reported since 2007.Jackie Baillie said there had been 16 cases of the strain of the bug, known as Type 078, reported since 2007.
She claimed evidence suggested it can be more serious than other strains of the bug.She claimed evidence suggested it can be more serious than other strains of the bug.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said further study was needed to understand the virulence of Type 078. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said Ms Baillie's comments were alarmist and misleading.
The figures were obtained by former government minister Ms Baillie, the MSP for Dumbarton, in a parliamentary answer.The figures were obtained by former government minister Ms Baillie, the MSP for Dumbarton, in a parliamentary answer.
"I am very worried by the emergence of a new and potentially more dangerous strain of C. difficile in Scottish hospitals," she said. "I am very worried by the emergence of a new and potentially more dangerous strain of C.diff in Scottish hospitals," she said. Health Protection Scotland are aware of this strain which is why further studies are being undertaken to better understand its virulence Nicola SturgeonHealth secretary
"The emergence of this new strain shows there is no room for complacency in the fight against hospital superbugs."The emergence of this new strain shows there is no room for complacency in the fight against hospital superbugs.
"I want Nicola Sturgeon to set a much more ambitious target to reduce the number of C. difficile cases by 50%." "I want Nicola Sturgeon to set a much more ambitious target to reduce the number of C.diff cases by 50%."
Action plan
The C.diff bug played a part, either directly or indirectly, in the deaths of 18 people at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire between December 2007 and June last year.The C.diff bug played a part, either directly or indirectly, in the deaths of 18 people at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire between December 2007 and June last year.
Holyrood's petitions committee backed calls for a public inquiry into the outbreak when it took evidence form the families affected last week. Holyrood's petitions committee backed calls for a public inquiry into the outbreak when it took evidence from the families affected last week.
A written reply from Ms Sturgeon stated there was "some evidence to suggest that the 078 strain can cause more serious disease". Ms Sturgeon said: "This is not a new strain.
However, further study is needed to understand its virulence, she added. "Health Protection Scotland are aware of this strain which is why further studies are being undertaken to better understand its virulence.
"In the meantime, control of C.diff is best achieved by prudent prescribing and good infection control.
"I am pleased that C.diff cases have come down in Scotland, not only on the previous quarter, but also in comparison to the same quarter in 2007."
Ms Baillie also urged Ms Sturgeon to look again at a Labour action plan drawn up with the assistance of Professors Hugh Pennington and Brian Toft and supported by the families affected by C.diff.Ms Baillie also urged Ms Sturgeon to look again at a Labour action plan drawn up with the assistance of Professors Hugh Pennington and Brian Toft and supported by the families affected by C.diff.
"We need better washing facilities, a detailed electronic surveillance system that enables infection control teams to track the spread of infection in real time and a single NHS commissioner to drive progress," she added."We need better washing facilities, a detailed electronic surveillance system that enables infection control teams to track the spread of infection in real time and a single NHS commissioner to drive progress," she added.
"Our proposals offer a coherent and focused strategy, which will save lives by making our hospitals cleaner and safer." Ms Sturgeon responded: "Much of what is in Labour's 15-point action plan is already in place in Scotland.
"However, we are examining these uncosted proposals to see whether they could add value to our extensive programme."