R63 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Effective CDI patient isolation

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that there is effective isolation of any patient who is suspected of suffering from CDI, and that failure to isolate is reported to senior management.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to Scottish Government policy (CEL 48 2008), all planned new-build hospitals must provide 100% single-room accommodation and refurbished buildings at least 50% single rooms, along with specific bed spacing requirements for multi-bed wards. According to the Scottish Government (2008-01-01), the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) provides detailed isolation guidance. According to the Scottish Government's response, this recommendation was accepted in 2015, but the core policy evidence is from 2008.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.gov.scot, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
18 Jun 2015

Section 3.1 of the Scottish Government's response addresses patient isolation through the requirement for all planned new-build hospitals to provide 100% single-room accommodation, and refurbished builds at least 50%. This measure significantly reduces the risk of patients contracting and passing on infection. Additionally, Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) include "Patient placement in wards and bays" as a basic measure to reduce transmission risks.

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Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
01 Jan 2008
Scottish Government Other

Scottish Government policy (CEL 48 2008) requires all planned new-build hospitals to provide 100% single-room accommodation. Refurbished buildings must accommodate at least 50% single rooms. 3.6m by 3.7m bed spacing requirement for multi-bed wards.

View detailed findings

Single-room accommodation policy directly supports effective isolation of CDI patients. NIPCM provides detailed isolation guidance.

Scottish Government single-room accommodation pol… View Source
Source
Inquiry Vale of Leven Inquiry
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
View Source
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Themes & Tags
Care home infection control Delayed patient infection risk notification Isolation C.difficile
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago