MRSA Crisis

Superbug: Hospital Deaths Probe Goes On.

The investigation into an NHS Trust and its chief executive is set to continue after poor hygiene standards were linked to patient deaths at three Kent hospitals.

Study blames NHS management

The former chief executive of a hospital trust at the centre of the scandal has had her severence deal withheld by the Government.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said payment to Rose Gibb would not be made until ministers had received legal advice.

Mr Johnson said: "I have instructed the trust to withhold any severance payment to the former chief executive of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, pending legal advice.

Ms Gibb left the trust by mutual arrangement on Friday after four years in post.

Annual accounts showed she earned around £150,000 in salary, £5,000 benefits and £12,500 in pension in 2006/07.

It has emerged that the trust could face criminal charges for its role in the highest ever number of recorded deaths from the clostridium difficile superbug.

In just a few months, more than 300 people died while infected with the deadly C diff bug in outbreaks across three hospitals.

A Healthcare Commission study found "significant failings" at all levels of management.

The report blamed inadequate staffing, dirty wards and too much time spent on meeting Government targets.

More than 1,000 patients were infected with the bug across the three hospitals, and a total of 345 patients died while being infected with C diff.

Sky News 12 October 2007.