The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Kent Police announced the conclusion of a joint review of a Healthcare Commission report published in October 2007 into outbreaks of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

HSE and Kent Police reviewed the Healthcare Commission's report through a series of interviews with the Commission's lead investigators and all the experts who considered the information gathered by the Healthcare Commission in compiling their report. HSE has concluded that whilst mistakes had been made, there is insufficient information to launch a criminal investigation.

Sandra Caldwell CB, HSE Deputy Chief Executive, said:

"First I want to express my sympathy to all those affected by the outbreaks of C. difficile at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. HSE shares the Police's conclusion that, from the information available, we cannot establish with certainty a causal link between failings to manage infection and the death of any particular person.

"The Trust has acknowledged that mistakes were made and their senior management team has changed substantially. Our priority now is to provide reassurance to the people of Kent that the infection risk at their hospitals is being properly managed. An audit of the Trust will therefore be conducted this September."

The full text of Sandra Caldwell's statement is at the end of this release.

Notes

1. The Healthcare Commission published a report into failings of infection control at Maidstone and Kent NHS Trust on 11 October 2007 - the report can be found here.

2. HSE undertook the joint review of the Healthcare Commission report with Kent Police. Their statement on today's announcement can be found here.

3. Further information on HSE's work with the Health Services can be found here.

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