A PATIENT has died in hospital after being infected with the Clostridium difficile bug.

A second patient in the same ward also died, but the bug played no part in that death.

In all, eight people were infected when C.diff hit the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

The ward involved has been closed to new admissions and an oubreak control team set up to investigate.

NHS Greater Glasgow confirmed the deaths today.

A spokeswoman said C.diff was a "contributory factor" in the death of the first victim - on August 27.

The second patient died of a serious, underlying medical condition and the death was not related to the bug.

A third person has now been treated and discharged.

The board said in a statement: "The remaining five patients are improving and are no longer showing any symptoms of C.diff, but continue to be nursed in isolation.

"As a precautionary measure, the ward is not admitting new patients."

Clostridium difficile causes diarrhoea as well as more serious intestinal infections.

A string of high-profile C.diff outbreaks at Scottish hospitals has brought attention to the bug north of the border.

It killed nine patients at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, and was a contributory factor in the deaths of nine others.

A total of 55 people were infected in that outbreak, which lasted from last December to June this year.

C.diff also contributed to the deaths of 24 NHS Ayrshire and Arran patients in 12 months.

Meanwhile, a patient is today being treated in hospital for the stomach bug.

An investigation has been launched, but the condition of the patient - in Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride - is not causing any concern.