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12th October 2007 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust may be prosecuted for the deaths  

The Health Commission today filed its report into the superbug (Cdifficile) outbreak at a Kent hospital which led to the alleged deaths of 90 patients.

The police have launched an investigation into whether the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust should be prosecuted. The Commission said a "litany" of errors in infection control had caused the "avoidable tragedy". The trust said it had not been prepared for "an outbreak of that size and complexity" but had learned lessons.  The commission's report said nurses at the trust were too rushed to wash hands and left patients to lie in their own excrement.

In may instances the deaths could have been avoided with even basic hygiene measure being in place. There were allegations of clinical negligence by certain health care workers. The Health Minister Alan Johnson was appalled at the findings but denied that the pressure being placed on staff due to cuts, was a contributory factor The Commission commented: "I would think the lessons, not just about cleanliness, hygiene and infection control, but the care provided to patients who contract C.difficile is something that has wider lessons for the NHS.

The news will undoubtedly lead to compensation claims being sought by the innocent victims and their families. For more advise on NHS medical negligence compensation - contact us today for advice and assistance on 0800 0322210. The former chief executive of the Trust suffered the ignominy of having his pay off suspended following the publication of the report today.                  

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