Chamber and committees

I am advised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that there are 36.2 whole-time equivalent infection control nurses (for both acute and primary services), 5.4 whole-time equivalent infection control doctors, one general manager and one assistant general manager across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The board also employs a consultant nurse in infection control, an infection control manager and a hand hygiene co-ordinator.

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 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.

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 there is no vacancy for a Consultant Microbiologist post at the Vale of Leven. Since the former Argyll and Clyde Health Board’s laboratory clinical reorganisation in 2004, this position has been covered by the Consultant Microbiologists at the Royal Alexandria Hospital and the Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

I am advised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that following an urgent review of the use of antibiotics at the Vale of Leven Hospital, a further modified antibiotics policy is now in place. These revised procedures are consistent with the prudent prescribing of antibiotics guidance that was published by the Healthcare Associated Infection Task Force in 2005.

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.

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.