How many patients (a) were affected and (b) subsequently died of Clostridium difficile during the outbreak at Dr Gray’s Hospital in April a…

Eighteen patients have been affected by the Clostridium difficile outbreak in Dr Gray''s Hospital. In answer to (b), NHS Grampian released a statement on 13 May 2009 confirming that one patient had Clostridium difficile recorded on the death certificate as the primary cause of death. NHS Grampian then further confirmed to journalists that one other patient had died during the outbreak where Clostridium difficile was recorded as one of a number of other contributory factors in the cause of death.
NHS Grampian did not mention the death of this second patient in its initial statement because it took the view that, as the second patient did not die directly of Clostridium difficile, it was not appropriate to report this death in its statement.
I expect all NHS boards to supply full and accurate data to media enquiries.