Trust bosses quizzed over C. diff

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The heads of Northern Ireland's five health trusts are to be questioned about the outbreak of the hospital bug clostridium difficile.

The Assembly's Health Committee will also ask the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, to explain how the problem is being tackled.

The chief executives will also be asked about the number of cases in their areas, at a meeting later this week.

Committee chairperson Iris Robinson said it had "very serious concerns".

"The committee want to be assured that robust strategies and measures are in place to deal with the infection and to prevent further outbreaks," she said.

"It is vital that anyone admitted to hospital should be able to do so without the additional worry that they may be at serious risk of catching infection. "

On Friday, the Department of Health released interim figures which showed the infection was recorded on the death certificates of 77 people last year.

A breakdown later showed C. diff played a part in the deaths of 34 people in the Northern Trust area - nine more than previously thought.

Last week, the Department of Health said £9m would be made available to tackle hospital bugs.

The C difficile bacterium causes diarrhoea and can even lead to a rupturing of the bowel. It tends to affect the over 65s.