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Leeds baby's superbug payout
The parents of a baby who was struck down with MRSA at a Leeds hospital have won compensation from NHS chiefs.
Alistair Purvis, born seven weeks premature, contracted the potentially-lethal superbug at Leeds General Infirmary two years ago.
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Five other babies were also infected with the bug in an outbreak in the neonatal unit.
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Now, his family has won a 1,200 payout after Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust admitted that it failed to follow proper hygiene procedures which led to Alistair being infected.
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The Trust has also conceded that it failed to have adequate systems in place and did not follow its own protocols.
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At the time, Alistair's parents Sharon and Daniel, from Armley, Leeds, told the YEP they had been warned that there was MRSA on the ward but were assured that their baby would not be affected.
However, they told how they later saw a nurse touching the affected babies without gloves.
A few days later, Alistair was confirmed as having the bug.
Today, Sharon, 40, said: "No parent wants to learn that their new-born child is ill as a result of being in hospital.
"Our experience has been particularly harrowing due to the case taking two years to come to a close.
"Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has now admitted liability so at least our family can get some form of closure to this ordeal.
"I hope that Alistair's case helps to raise awareness about MRSA – we're told in the news that improvements are being made all the time when it comes to hospital hygiene but our experience shows that we all still need to be vigilant for the sake of loved ones receiving medical treatment in any hospital."
She said the payout was low due to the superbug being in his eyes – and not in his bloodstream which is much more lethal.
Alistair, who weighed just 5lbs when he was born, recovered well from his ordeal.
But the family's solicitors say it is not yet known whether he will have any long-term effects from the illness.
Christian Beadell, associate at Wake Smith & Tofields, said: "Alistair tested positive for MRSA and received treatment which, so far at least, seems to have been successful. Alistair has made a full recovery but it is possible that longer term affects may still be felt.
"Alistair's case could and should have been avoided. The hospital could have controlled the risk and moving forward we hope that further steps will be taken to monitor and eradicate the risk of MRSA."
Ruth Holt, Chief Nurse and director of infection prevention and control at the Trust said: "We are very sorry our procedures at the time did not protect Alistair while in our care and we apologise for the distress this caused the family.
"During the past two years we have reduced very substantially the number of preventable infections throughout the hospital. Audits of our practice show far higher adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
"The neonatal team has worked very hard to make improvements in preventing cross infection, cleaning, and staff education and training to make sure that babies who need special care are as safe as possible."
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Weather for Leeds
Thursday 23 February 2012
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