Chris Gordon, Partner of Thompson’s Solicitors in Aberdeen has criticised Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital for failing to do enough to step up hygiene controls, 15 months after an outbreak of maggots forced the closure of three operating theatres.

Thompsons Solicitors represent the families in the public inquiry into 18 deaths following an outbreak of Clostridium Difficile, C-Diff at Vale of Leven Hospital. Mr Gordon was speaking after the publication of a report by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate into hygiene standards at the Aberdeen Hospital. 

The report found that the general standard of cleanliness at the hospital was good but identified a number of areas for improvement.

Mr Gordon said: “It’s very alarming that the Inspectorate has found that hand hygiene standards are not being applied rigorously enough and that RACH has not done enough to ensure public awareness of the dangers and the need for infection control.

“The fact the Inspectorate also want to see better reporting arrangements with the paediatric ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin where two people died after an outbreak of C-Diff last year, is equally alarming.

“Hospital Acquired Infections can have a devastating effect, and the hospital authorities and the Health Board must do everything in their power to stamp them out.”