By Brian Donnelly

The total deaths at Gartnavel directly attributed to the bug has nearly doubled over two years.

Glasgow MSP Patricia Ferguson has raised questions over the reporting of superbug cases at the hospital, where figures show 18 people died of C.diff last year alone.

She said: "I just don't think we are getting the full story."

Earlier this year the Scottish Government ordered a public inquiry into deaths at Vale of Leven Hospital, Alexandria, after nine people died directly from C.diff in six months, with the bug contributing to a further nine deaths from December 2007 to June last year.

Figures next week are expected to confirm Gartnavel, which is larger than the West Dunbartonshire hospital, had 18 deaths directly attributable to C.diff and six as a contributory factor over 12 months.

The previous year it had 10 deaths directly attributed to C.diff and 10 as a contributory factor.

Families have also questioned NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde over its policy of inclusion of C.diff on death certificates.

One got the bug included on their mother's death certificate as contributory only after months of wrangling with the board, despite the patient testing positive for C.diff and it being a "major factor" in her health during her final days.

Ms Ferguson, MSP for Maryhill, said: "I have asked the Government how many death certificates were amended and they said none.

"That seems strange when I know of one. I just don't think we are getting the full story. I will be looking at the new figures when they come out."

Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University and one of the country's leading experts on infectious disease, said it was "wrong that a family should be in the position to have the death certificate changed".

He added: "I've seen this many times. It spoils the statistics. People get the impression it's a cover-up."

A board spokesman said it did not dispute the figures but added infection rates were improving.

He said: "Gartnavel includes the Brownlee Centre for Infectious Diseases and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, which both treat patients from across Scotland with serious medical conditions."

• Do you know anyone who has died of C.diff at Gartnavel? If so please contact our newsdesk on 0141 302 6520 or e-mail news@eveningtimes.co.uk

Wednesday 29th July 2009

Reproduced with the permission of The Evening Times, Glasgow © 2009 Herald & Times Group