Leeds Hospital Admits Liability For Baby's MRSA Infection

Wake Smith Solicitors 30 April 2010

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has admitted liability for the infection of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to one local baby after questions were raised over procedures to protect hygiene and infection.

Alistair Purvis, now 2, was tested positive for MRSA in October 2007 whilst in the neo-natal unit at Leeds General Infirmary. The family has now received compensation after Leeds Teaching Hospital admitted liability in failing to prevent Alistair contracting MRSA.

Baby Alistair was found to be infected with the bug after his parents noticed a discharge around his eyes shortly after leaving hospital.

Alarmed mother Sharon Purvis, from Leeds, sought legal advice from Wake Smith & Tofields after discovering that several other babies in the same ward had also been affected by the disease.

Sharon Purvis 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."

The NHS Litigation Authority has accepted responsibility on behalf of Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. The authority admitted that it has failed to have an adequate system in place to prevent the disease spreading to Alistair. They also admitted that the hospital had failed to comply with protocol and guidelines regarding hygiene and infection control which led to MRSA.

Terry Regan, partner at Wake Smith & Tofields, acting on behalf of the family 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 effects 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.

"MRSA is still prevalent across the UK so it is imperative that we do not rest on our laurels - hospitals need to tighten up compliance with infection control policies and take a more proactive approach to infection establishing itself in the first place. Although the number of reported cases has seen a slight decrease over the years, the risk is clearly still of concern, particularly to parents of young children like Alistair who are so vulnerable and unable to speak for themselves.

"Undergoing any procedure poses significant risk to being exposed to MRSA infection. Whilst we do not intend to scare monger, the high number of cases of MRSA reinforces the need for patients to be vigilant. Exposure can give rise to serious injuries and anyone concerned should speak to their medical team and seek the necessary legal advice."

Anyone concerned about exposure to MRSA should contact a member of the Medical Negligence team on 0114 2066 6660 or email [email protected].

Tags

Archive

March 20247February 20242January 20248December 20236November 20232October 20235September 20232August 20234July 20232June 20235May 20238March 20234February 20235January 20233December 20225November 20224October 20224September 20223August 20221June 20221May 20227April 20223March 20223February 20223January 20224December 20214November 20213October 20215September 20216August 20212July 202111June 20218May 20216April 20212March 20218February 20218January 20219December 20208November 202013October 20209September 20208August 20203July 20208June 202016May 202013April 20209March 202016February 20209January 202011December 20199November 20199October 201911September 20195August 20194July 20196May 20198April 20196March 20193February 20195January 20194December 20186November 20185October 20182September 20185August 20184July 20189June 20184May 201810April 20185March 20184February 20184January 20183December 20175November 20178October 20177September 20179August 20175July 20176June 201710May 20176April 20178March 201711February 20176January 201712December 20169November 20167October 201610September 201610August 20166July 20167June 20163May 20162April 20166March 20162February 20164January 20165December 20153November 20155October 20156September 20156August 20157July 20157June 20157May 20156April 20159March 20156February 201510January 20156December 20145November 20144October 20142September 20143May 20144March 20146February 20144January 20142December 20132November 20133September 20134July 20132June 20132May 20133April 20131March 20133February 20133January 20136December 20121November 20123October 20122August 20122July 20128June 20123April 20123March 20121January 20124December 20112November 20111October 20112September 20113August 20113July 20117June 20119May 20117April 20115March 20119February 20118January 20111December 20101October 20102September 20102August 20103July 20106June 20101May 20102April 20106March 20102February 20103January 20102December 20095November 20092October 20092September 20092August 20091July 20095June 20095May 20093April 20093March 20093February 20091January 20092November 20082October 20082September 20081August 20083July 20081January 20082

Featured Articles

Contact us