Michelle Stewart of the families' C-Diff Justice Group said: "We welcome the extension of the Inquiry's remit to include the Ninewells outbreak, because these cases are a grim reminder that we still have a major problem with C-Diff.

"We have maintained all along that all Nicola Sturgeon's knee jerk responses would never get to the bottom of what went so terribly wrong at the Vale of Leven.

"That's why we fought so hard for this inquiry. But it must be given the time it needs to get to the truth and not be hampered by timelines"

The group's solicitor Patrick McGuire of Thompsons Solicitors who also represented the Stockline families at the Maryhill venue said: "The C-Diff families accept that Maryhill is a suitable venue, but the Inquiry must ensure that the additional travel and other costs does not restrict their contribution to the proceedings"