Sponsored by
MRSA patient left in own blood - family
AN ELDERLY patient contracted the MRSA bug and almost died after being left to lie in his own blood on a filthy hospital ward, his family claim.
Retired miner Jim McManus, 70, was admitted to Pinderfields in Wakefield for a routine leg operation in February but fell victim to the deadly bug as a result of the 'disgraceful' state of the ward, they say.
Mr McManus's daughter, Monique Dawson, from Temple Newsam, Leeds, said she even brought her own disinfectant on to the ward to clean around his bed because she was so worried about hygiene standards.
She said she regularly visited her father to find him in tears because he had been left to lie in the blood weeping from an open sore on his leg.
The former Glasshoughton colliery worker was told he would be kept in hospital for three nights for a bypass operation on an artery in his leg.
Although the surgery went smoothly, he was kept in after his scars failed to heal properly and he was eventually told he had contracted MRSA.
His family are now considering legal action against Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust over the standard of care he was given.
Tears
The grandfather was also told this week that he must not leave the UK for 12 months because of the condition.
He will not be able to go on a 1,000 Spanish holiday he has booked with his wife and his insurers will not refund the money he has paid for the trip.
Mrs Dawson said: "The conditions he was made to live in were appalling, an absolute disgrace. How anyone who has worked hard all their life and paid their taxes can be treated like is beyond me.
"The ward was constantly filthy and cold, and my dad was left in an appalling state and was very upset.
"We would turn up to find him lying in his own blood and we were always having to ask staff to change his dressings."
She added: "His condition deteriorated and at one point we were sure he was going to die. I have no doubt that the reason he ended up that way was because of the way he was treated on the ward."
Mr McManus said: "I was never in any pain during the time I was there but it was very upsetting to be left to lie there in such discomfort and indignity. This, I was told, would be just a simple operation needing only a few days in hospital.
"But four months later I am still having to go back to hospital for treatment and have this infection hanging over me."
Dr Martin Wale, medical director at the hospital's trust, said: "We are taking the allegations in this complaint very seriously, and it is being thoroughly investigated through our complaints procedure.
"I have spoken with the consultant in charge of Mr McManus's care and he does not recognise the conditions as described on the ward.
"We are reviewing all the issues raised with those who cared for Mr McManus, and will go through them with his family as soon as we have all the facts.
"Tackling MRSA and the prevention of infection is one of our top priorities. We have stringent policies on handwashing and cleanliness in place across our hospitals, together with other measures to reduce the risks of patients contracting MRSA.
"These preventative measures are backed up by systematically reviewing every case of MRSA to establish underlying causes and minimise the chances of it happening again."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Simon Grayson sacked: Host of names linked with Leeds United job UPDATED
- January 2012 Premier League and Championship transfer round up
- Leeds United: We wouldn’t have got Alan Smith for £2,500 a week! - Grayson UPDATED
- Leeds United: Celtic star set for Whites loan move?
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Simon Grayson sacked: Host of names linked with Leeds United job UPDATED
- Leeds United: A fresh start is just what we need - Lorimer
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Are you satisfied with Leeds United’s dealings in the January transfer window? VOTE HERE
- Match report: Leeds United v Birmingham City
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
