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Superbug case forces another ward closure at city hospital





Raigmore Hospital
Raigmore Hospital

ANOTHER case of the superbug Clostridium difficile has again forced a ward to be closed at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Ward 6C has been closed to admissions for the next 24 hours to allow deep cleaning to take place following confirmation of what is being called an isolated case.

It follows the closure of ward 4C last month when 10 cases of the superbug were confirmed, eight linked to the outbreak.

One patient who contracted the infection in the community, died shortly after being admitted, due to an existing medical condition.

Infection control measures have been place in ward 6C and the affected patient has been isolated.

"It is important to clarify that this is one isolated case of Clostridium difficile in one of our medical wards," said Una Lyon, lead nurse for Raigmore Hospital.

"The patient is in isolation and the ward is being deep cleaned as a matter of priority. We have closed Ward 6C to admissions to allow the cleaning to take place with as little interruption as possible."

Clostridium difficile particularly affects patients who are on strong antibiotics so there can be sporadic cases in hospitals.

It is a serious problem for hospitals because many patients are on antibiotics and are also already sick which makes them susceptible.

"Visitors coming to the ward will be advised of infection control procedures and how to adhere to them," Mrs Lyon added.


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