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Nurse sues over flesh-eating bug
A NURSE from South Tyneside is suing the NHS, claiming he contracted the flesh-eating bug MRSA in the hospital where he worked.
Mark Thompson, from Cleadon Park, South Shields, is launching a 50,000 compensation bid after he contracted the infection while employed at Glasgow's Victoria Infirmary three years ago.
The 45-year-old, who moved to the city in 2004, is preparing a legal case against Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS, claiming his health has been destroyed.
A Glasgow NHS spokesman declined to comment on Mr Thompson's claim, but said infection controls were strictly enforced.
Mr Thompson claims "dirty" conditions in the ward he was working in caused him to pick up the infection after he grazed his shin moving beds around.
He says he was off work for a year as the MRSA infection "ate away" flesh from his right shin and compromised his immune system.
The former carer fears he will never work again after his contract was terminated after spending a year off work.
He said: "The ward I worked on wasn't particularly clean.
"The graze got infected and tested positive for MRSA. I had four flare-ups.
"In the end, I was hospitalised twice and my health has broken down.
"Because my system has been so badly compromised with MRSA, I'll probably never be able to work in a hospital or nursing home again.
"There must be thousands out there suffering the same risks."
An spokesman for NHS Glasgow said: "We can confirm that Mr Thompson left our employment last year, but it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the circumstances of his departure from the NHS.
"However, we can confirm that we are awaiting details of his claim from his legal representative.
"Infection control at all our hospitals is one of our highest priorities.
"We have introduced a range of measures to drive down infection rates.
The latest figures for Greater Glasgow and Clyde show these are achieving results.
"We do not routinely screen staff for MRSA, but all our wards have regular hand hygiene compliance audits.
"Staff at all our hospitals work closely with our infection control teams and microbiological experts to ensure they are adhering to all our strict infection control policies.
"Patients who test positive for MRSA are risk assessed and, if appropriate, isolated.
"If we have a number of patients who have tested positive, they may be nursed in a designated area with other patients with the same condition."
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
