She also suggested that the deaths could have been avoided if lessons had been taken on board from an earlier C. diff outbreak at Vale of Leven Hospital, in her own constituency.

Ms Baillie spoke out after the result of NHS Tayside’s internal investigation into the outbreak was made public today.

The report reveals the health board decided not to inform the public of the outbreak until November 10, though the first death occurred on October 21.

The decision not to provide information was taken “on the basis that it would be in the better interests of patients and their families to proceed sensitively”, says the report.

It also reveals that, in line with local practice at the time, patients were not informed they had the virulent 027 strain of the bug.

Infected patients and their families were told about the outbreak and a sign was posted explaining the ward was closed because of infection.

However, “to avoid unnecessary alarm to other patients and families, no proactive information was given to non-infected patients unless they or their family asked for further details”.

To prevent news of the outbreak leaking to the public, an item on hospital acquired infection was moved to the section of the agenda to be discussed in private at a meeting on November 5.

That was done, “mindful of the acute distress of the recently bereaved families and in consideration of the feeling and anxieties of the patients’ still undergoing treatment,” says the report.

However, Ms Baillie said there was “no possible justification” for NHS Tayside’s “lack of transparency”.

“NHS Tayside’s decision not to inform the public about this outbreak was totally unacceptable,” she went on.

“Patients and their families have an absolute right to know if there is an outbreak of C.diff at their local hospital.”

She said the family of one of the patients who died had written to her to say that even they had not been informed about the infection.

“The health board’s failure to communicate openly with patients and the public should be considered by the public inquiry into C.diff, which has been extended to include Ninewells,” the MSP went on.

“I’m so very concerned by the lack of compliance with hand hygiene policy highlighted by the report.

“These deaths might have been avoided if lessons had been properly learned from the Vale of Leven.”

NHS Tayside says that its policy on sharing information with patients and their relatives has become more open since the Ninewells outbreak.

“If patients are isolated and actively infected there will be a notice on the door which says, ‘Please see the nurse in charge before entry,’ ” said deputy chief executive Gerry Marr.

“It has been agreed now that it is appropriate to inform non-infected patients on an outbreak ward that they are at a higher risk, and what they could do to protect themselves.

“We have changed our position on this and are learning the lessons from this outbreak.”

NHS Tayside medical director Dr Andrew Russell said, “There is a role for everybody, whether they are staff working in hospitals or visitors, in preventing the spread of infection.”

Public Health Minister and Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said the report was “a crucial part of establishing what happened during the outbreak and ensuring lessons are learned from it”. She continued, “My thoughts remain with the relatives and friends of the patients who tragically died during the Ninewells C.diff outbreak.”

“Importantly, the report highlights that the outbreak was picked up quickly and handed efficiently by NHS Tayside.

“However, it also demonstrates the importance of ensuring we have consistently high standards across all aspects of hospital care.

“While no single cause has been identified for this outbreak, a number of factors may have contributed to it. I am pleased that NHS Tayside have plans in place to address these and look forward to seeing these implemented.”