Scientist admits superbug fears

Published on Thursday 12 February 2009 13:28

A top microbiologist today said he had "crossed his fingers" while in hospital to try and avoid picking up a serious bug.

Professor Hugh Pennington made the comments while helping to launch an action plan to improve infection-control in the Scottish health service.

"I've been in hospital two or three times, I have seen things happening," he said.

"Fortunately I wasn't in for the sort of procedure which made me vulnerable to those bugs.

"I kept my fingers crossed the whole time, but I shouldn't have had to keep my fingers crossed."

He stressed that trust should be put in hospital staff to tackle healthcare associated infections, such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

The retired professor helped draw-up the 15-point action, which also featured in a parliamentary debate today.

It has been endorsed by the Labour, Tory, Liberal Democrat and Green parties, as well as Independent MSP Margo MacDonald.

The SNP government said the plan was being considered by a national task force, and that many of the proposals are already in place.

Prof Pennington added: "These are things that are being done, but they're not being done fast enough."

He was joined at Holyrood by Michelle Stewart, whose mother-in-law Sarah McGinty died following an outbreak of C diff at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

The outbreak was linked to 18 deaths at the hospital in West Dunbartonshire, prompting calls from the families of the victims for a full public inquiry.

Ms Stewart, representing families affected by the outbreak, said the government must speed up progress to implement the plan.

She said: "We're families that have actually gone through the trauma.

"From what we saw and what we experienced, we agree that this is the way forward."