Supergran V The Superbug

Jan 13 2008 By Marion Scott

Exclusive Test Case May Cost The Nhs Millions

A PENSIONER who caught the superbug MRSA in hospital goes to court this week for a case which could end up costing the NHS millions.

A win for 71-year-old Liz Miller would clear the way for other victims to sue - and her lawyer has more than 160 cases already on his files.

The great-gran was infected while in Glasgow Royal Infirmary for a heart valve operation. She claims she never fully recovered and is in constant pain.

Legal arguments will begin in the Court of Session on Tuesday to decide if there is a case in law for Liz to proceed with a full compensation claim.

Liz, of Kilsyth, near Glasgow, said: "I lived for the kids, my three grand children and three great-grandchildren. Now I can't be the granny I want to be.

"I was very active with the kids, taking them on holidays and down the park.

"Now I can't even cook and clean for myself and the kids have to help look after me. I should have gone into hospita and come out feeling better. Instead, I'm terrified of going into any hospital ever again because I might not come out alive.

"Nobody should have to fear going into hospital in this day and age, but our hospitals are now so filthy, there are armies of people like me."

Granddaughter Emma Anderson, 29, said: "Gran had always been such a strong person and suddenly we were worrying we'd lose her.

"She used to be very active and adored running around with the kids. Now she can't even stand on her own for more than a few minutes, it's heartbreaking.

"We're very proud she's taking on the NHS to make it safer for all of us."

Lawyer Cameron Fyfe said: "We're confident the court will find there is a case to answer and, if successful, we will proceed to the Court of Session for the first of more than 160 cases.

"Health authorities across the country will be watching this case closely as it will have repercussions for every one of them."

Richard Stern of campaign group MRSA Support said: "We're delighted Liz Miller is taking this stand on behalf of patients everywhere."

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Toll of the bug

MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphyloccus aureus is a bacterium which one in three of us carry in our noses or on our skin without any problem.

But in hospitals, it can attack open wounds. Around 20,000 people died in the UK from hospital-acquired infections last year. In Scotland, MRSA contributed to 422 deaths, 51 of those as the main cause.

And microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington believes the true rate of MRSA infection may be as much as 10 times higher than official figures.

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