C-Diff
Cycling Safety
Big Christmas Farmers Market
NSPCC
Your festive greetings
Investigations are continuing into a cluster of cases of Clostridium difficile infection in wards at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
No new cases have been identified.
Fourteen patients were affected by the infection, commonly known as C-diff. Two of the 14 patients died from underlying conditions after also testing positive for the infection in the days before their death.
Since the cluster was identified in early November, four patients have recovered and been discharged home.
The eight patients who remain in hospital are being cared for in isolation. Two patients, who had tested positive for the infection, are very unwell, but the severity of their conditions is not as a result of C-diff.
Infection prevention and control procedures have been reinforced to help protect them, other patients, staff and visitors. The five affected wards remain open.
Samples are currently being tested to establish if any of the identified cases are linked, although results are not expected until January.
Melanie Johnson, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, said: “Investigations are ongoing to establish if there is a link between the cases, but we always act as if cases are linked and implement action to prevent cross transmission.
“Our robust surveillance procedures meant that we were able to identify these cases quickly and take the appropriate action.”
Affected patients in the ward and their relatives have been told about the infection and the actions that have been taken so far have been explained to them.
Nursing and medical staff are on hand to answer any other questions or concerns from visitors and patients themselves.
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With the shortest day of the year looming, a group of keen cyclist councillors joined forces to highlight the need for those on two wheels to make themselves as visible as possible during the darker months.
More than 50% of Edinburgh’s cycle casualties in November, December and January are injured when it is dark.
This points to a need for cyclists to take extra care to be seen by wearing high visibility clothing and ensuring their bikes are fitted with lights and reflectors.
In addition, 28% of Edinburgh’s 169 serious cyclist injuries between 2009 and 2013 were linked to other vehicles carrying out turning manoeuvres.
So while cyclists take extra care to be seen, it is equally important that motorists take extra care to look out for cyclists as they turn at junctions.
Councillor Adam McVey, Vice Convener of Transport, said: “As we get close to the shortest day of the year, it’s a good opportunity to emphasise how important it is that cyclists ensure they’re visible to other road users during the hours of darkness. Wear bright, high visibility or reflective clothing and make sure your lights are working properly.”
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Today there is a huge Edinburgh Farmers Market on Castle Terrace. Although there will be no market next Saturday there is an extra one on 23 December 2014.
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We have received a letter from the NSPCC which we would like to share with you:
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of your readers in Edinburgh who have supported the work of NSPCC Scotland during the last year. Without the backing of local people the NSPCC would not be able to help abused children rebuild their lives, or be there for parents who desperately need advice and support.
As we move into 2015 I would like to appeal to your readers to make a very special kind of New Year’s resolution for NSPCC Scotland. ‘Just One Day’ is a call for people to come forward and volunteer some time to support our work – even if people can only spare one day, it will be a massive help.
There are many different ways that people can volunteer their time including becoming an NSPCC ChildLine Schools Service volunteer; becoming a ChildLine helpline counsellor; getting involved in an event by setting up stalls or taking photographs, or cheering on NSPCC participants in a sporting race or activity.
Abuse ruins childhood, but it can be prevented. That’s why the NSPCC is here in Scotland. That’s what drives our work, and that’s why – as long as there’s abuse the NSPCC will fight for every childhood.
Please join us in the fight for every childhood by volunteering some time to support NSPCC Scotland, whether you can spare a day a week or just one day. To find out more call 0141 420 3816 or log on to nspcc.org.uk/volunteer.
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We could do with some of you recording your Christmas messages and posting them here…. please!
Our EdinburghReportage site is an important add on for us and we would very much like more of you to become involved with it now and in 2015. You may also suggest ideas for our Storyboards…..
Click here to be taken to EdinburghReportage.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
