Widow seeks inquiry over husband's hospital death

Irene Suggitt's husband, Clive, died after contracting the antibiotic-resistant virus following an operation at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Yesterday, after an inquest into his death, Mrs Suggitt called for an independent inquiry into why he died.

Teesside Coroner's Court heard that her 71-year-old husband was admitted to the hospital, which has a long history of MRSA-related deaths, in February last year suffering from acute colitis.

Surgeons decided he needed urgent life-saving surgery to remove his colon. But, after the operation, Mr Suggitt developed MRSA and died on March 26.

Mrs Suggitt, 64, of Great Ayton, near Middlesbrough, asked surgeon Alexander Clason, giving evidence, why patients with MRSA were not isolated and infected wards closed.

He admitted the virus was a "major problem" at the hospital but said "one would not normally close the ward on the basis of one individual having MRSA".

Teesside assistant deputy coroner Malcolm Donnelly recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

"Your husband was very ill," he told Mrs Suggitt. "Had he not chosen to have that surgery he would have died."

Mrs Suggitt has now asked South Tees NHS Hospitals Trust for an investigation into her husband's death.

"They should close the wards and, if need be, close the hospital," she said. "They have done that in other hospitals to get rid of it. This has been traumatic and devastating, and I wouldn't like to see anybody go through it."

Dr Paul Lawler, trust medical director, said an independent review into Mr Suggitt's death was being considered.

"We recognise MRSA is a serious issue," he said. "In the last few months we have introduced a series of stringent measures to control cross infection. These initiatives include a new hand hygiene policy and appointing a second consultant microbiologist and an infection control project nurse.

"An MRSA surveillance study is also being carried out in 'high risk' areas."