Two patients who died in a Louth hospital during the week have had their deaths referred to the Coroner in an effort to determine if a contagious bacteria outbreak at the hospital was responsible.

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda has had services curtailed and banned visitors in an attempt to curtail the Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) outbreak

In a statement released today the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed the deaths at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda were notified to the Coroner to determine if C Diff was responsible.

It said: “If a patient dies who may have been exposed to or who had contracted C Diff their death is notified to the Coroner who is responsible for determining if C Diff was the cause of and/or contributory factor to their death.”

Infection Control Procedures have been implemented at the hospital and members of the public are asked not to visit.

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