Woman caught MRSA bug twice in hospital

A woman today told how she was twice hit by the MRSA superbug at a "filthy" London hospital. Theresa Anwell developed blood poisoning, a potentially fatal complication of MRSA, and is now so unwell her husband has to look after her full-time.

She is now set to take legal action over the conditions she claims led to her plight. The hospital has admitted she caught the bug on their ward but says standards are now much higher.

Mrs Anwell's case is the latest in a growing number of patients who are taking legal action over the infection. Members of the patients' group MRSA Support will meet lawyers tomorrow to discuss their concerns over rising levels of the disease, especially in London and the South-East.

Mrs Anwell was admitted to Barnet General in August 2000 for a colon operation but the wound became infected and she was kept in for three months.

A year later she was readmitted and underwent a colostomy reversal. She again developed an infection. She had two more operations and was discharged with a 20cm hole in her stomach infected with MRSA. The wound has healed but Mrs Anwell is in constant pain.

Mrs Anwell said: "The hospital was so dirty it was disgusting." She claims that the lavatory was filthy and the floor mop was black with dirt.

Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust said: "The MRSA infection rate has stabilised this year but we are determined to reduce it."