THREE patients have tested positive for C.diff in a West of Scotland hospital.

The patients are being treated in single isolation rooms in a ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

They are said to be responding well to treatment and none are giving cause for concern as a result of the infection.

Infection control specialists said appropriate infection control measures were in place.

Professor Craig Williams, NHSGGC's Lead Infection Control Doctor, said: "As soon as our C-diff monitoring procedures identified a higher than expected number of cases on the ward immediate action was taken.

"These robust monitoring procedures include statistical process charts which are unique to each and every ward.

"The charts accurately plot the number of c-diff cases that could be expected in any given month based on type of patient treated and a variety of other factors.

"These charts have allowed us to monitor levels of C-diff very effectively to ensure early action when the number of cases exceeds the background level of cases would normally expect to see.

"C-diff rates across our hospitals have dropped by 50% over recent years and we remain fully committed to reducing this further."

Cases of C.Diff and MRSA fell to their lowest levels on record last year.

It comes days after the Scottish Goverment pledged a record £4.2 million to improve techniques to prevent and control 'superbugs'.