Today police in Kent are investigating whether criminal charges should be brought against Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust following a report published by the Healthcare Commission which investigated two recent outbreaks of Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
C. diff, which is a bacterium found in the gut of up to 3% of adults, results in diarrhoea and inflammation of the bowel. The bug develops spores meaning that it can pass through the air. It is however manageable and preventable if the correct precautions such as hand washing and isolation rooms are in place.
The report highlights the Trust’s failings in the control of the deadly bug following two outbreaks in 2005 and 2006. During the period commencing April 2004 and ending September 2006 the Commission has estimated that 90 patients ‘definitely or probably’ died as a result of the infection. The report details evidence that suggests patients were not assisted to the bathroom and were instead left to defecate in their beds.
Stephensons have handled several claims against various NHS Trusts over the last few years. Some cases are complex as it has to be proved that the patient contracted the bug during their hospital visit and had not been carrying the bug prior to their hospital visit. However Stephensons has been successful on several occasions in proving negligence and securing compensation for our clients.
We may be able to assist you in making a claim for acquiring such infections and the knock on effects which they have on your prolonged recovery period, please feel free to call our Instruction Taking Unit on: 01616 966 229
