The number of cases of the c-difficile infection in North Wales hospitals is “unacceptably high” according to a senior health official.

In 2013 the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was fiercely criticised for its handling of a severe outbreak of the illness, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, at Glan Clwyd Hospital during which 30 patients died.

Following publication of a report by Professor Brian Duerden the chief executive, chairman and vice-chairman all resigned.

Professor Duerden has subsequently noted improvements in infection-control measures but in a report to next week’s Board meeting on Wednesday Director of Performance Dr Jill Newman says: “The number of people developing Clostridium difficile across North Wales remained unacceptably high in November, 2017, with 19 people affected.”

Though the figure represented a fall from the October total of 29 it takes the number across the region to 61 above the target. For the April – October period it was the fourth highest in Wales.

There were also three reported cases of the so-called killer-bug MRSA in November, one more than the previous month

Dr Newman also calls for urgent improvements in the waiting-times in emergency departments and minor injury units, which has been a cause for concern throughout the country.

In November the number of people waiting over four hours rose slightly while those waiting for at least 12 hours improved from 1,276 in October to 1,242.

“Performance on the unscheduled care system overall remains a major concern for the Health Board, requiring rapid improvement,” she says.