Superbug C. diff surge tackled by Glan Clwyd Hospital

Nursing director Angela Hopkins (right) has led efforts to tackle C. diff infection at north Wales hospitals

A surge in cases of the superbug Clostridium difficile (C. diff) has led to extra cleaning at a north Wales hospital, officials have confirmed.

Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan saw a "significant rise" to 46 cases in December after a fall in November.

A report for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said "rapid action" was taken on affected wards and the number of new cases has since dropped.

The board was severely criticised in 2013 over its handling of the disease.

It was one of the factors which led to the resignation of several senior officials.

Angela Hopkins, executive director for nursing and midwifery, said despite the increase at Glan Clwyd in December, the board was making progress on tackling C. diff.

The number of cases across north Wales fell from 371 in 2013 to 301 in 2014, she said.