Labour slams Scots hospital bug levels

Published on 02/01/2012 12:00

Labour today claimed Scotland was the “superbug capital of Europe”.

Health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie published figures showing Scotland tops a European league table of healthcare- associated infections.

The research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre shows that Scotland has the highest rate of bugs in Europe, hitting 9.5 per cent.

Ms Baillie said: “Being the superbug capital of Europe is an accolade no country wants.

“These figures show that, despite recent progress, the SNP government still has a long way to go in the battle against healthcare-associated infections.

“Sadly, almost everybody knows someone who has contracted a healthcare-associated infection, like C.diff or MRSA.

“We must aspire to deliver the cleanest hospitals and the lowest levels of hospital-acquired infections in the whole of Europe – not the highest.”