Willie Rennie calls for review following E.coli outbreak

11.48.05am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 31st May 2006

Local MP, Willie Rennie, is calling for a review of procedures and guidelines following the recent E.coli outbreak in Dunfermline. Writing in The Scotsman today, he says:

"A shiver must have run down the spine of every parents earlier this month when news broke about the outbreak of E.coli 0157 in Dunfermline - it did with me.

"Over the last few stressful weeks I felt it was important to be in regular contact with the nursery, Lauder College, NHS Fife and the Council. I was keen to offer my support to the professionals, to let them get on with their job and to act as a conduit and advocate for the families involved."

He continues:

"…I am determined that we do not start a witch hunt as they rarely result in lessons being learnt. This has been a nightmare for the staff at the nursery. I have no doubt they are dedicated, caring people who do their best for the children in their charge.

"That is why I am calling for a wide-ranging review of the E.coli guidelines and procedures for nurseries and schools."

Mr Rennie goes on to say that he believes the practice of not closing nurseries or schools until more than one E.coli case has been reported should be reviewed:

"…as E.coli has such devastating effects, should we not take a precautionary approach and close the nursery or school when the first case is reported?"

The local MP calls for the review to set out a full chronology of the events in Dunfermline and says that it should consider whether existing guidelines were correctly implemented and whether communications between the various parties could have been better.

Finally, he argues that the review must consider whether large nurseries are making outbreaks more likely and what can be done to improve home hygiene.

He concludes with a warning:

"Outbreaks are likely to happen again so let's learn the lessons now."