THE family of a woman who died after contracting Clostridium difficile in hospital said it is "unacceptable" that a report into the outbreak has been delayed again.

Michelle McGinty, whose mother-in-law Sarah McGinty was one of those who died in the outbreak, said the report from the inquiry into the C diff deaths at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire had been put back for the fourth time.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said that Lord MacLean, who chaired the public inquiry, required extra time to "fully consider all evidence to ensure a robust report".

A total of 55 patients at the hospital were struck down by the bacterial infection between December 2007 and June 2008, and 18 people died.

C diff was blamed for nine of the deaths and was said to be a contributory factor in the other nine.

The inquiry was originally due to report by the end of May 2011.

Michelle McGinty was one of those who campaigned for the inquiry to be set up.

She said: "We're coming up for the sixth anniversary of the first deaths and the families need closure so they can move on.

"It is completely unacceptable that after six years and four delays we are still no further forward on knowing what happened at the Vale of Leven."

Julie-Anne Jamieson, secretary to the inquiry, said: "By its very nature, this is a complex process which takes a considerable amount of time.

"It should also be noted that, due to serious illness, the chairman was in hospital for a period of five months.

"Work on the inquiry continued during that time but clearly the chairman's illness has impacted on the timescale."

stef.lach@ eveningtimes.co.uk