HIGH TIME GOVERNMENT TACKLED HOSPITAL SUPERBUGS - TEATHER

2.31.18pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Dec 2004

Sarah is calling for the Government to take proper action to tackle the problems of MRSA .

A patient who had to have his leg amputated after contracting the superbug MRSA following a routine operation will have his case brought into public on Wednesday night by Sarah Teather, MP for Brent East.

Appearing on Channel 4's Political Slot, a five-minute programme, giving MPs a chance to voice their concerns over problems being faced by people across the country, Sarah Teather discusses the case of Ed Hopkins.

Mr Hopkins went into hospital for a simple operation to remove an ulcer on his heel. After treatment Mr Hopkins contracted MRSA and subsequently caught septicaemia. The next day he had his leg amputated in order to save his life.

Hospital acquired infections causes around 5000 deaths each year and costs the NHS around £1bn a year. MRSA is resistant to almost all antibiotics.

Sarah Teather MP said:

"It's outrageous that, when patients go into hospitals to get better, they actually come out having caught something much worse. There are far too many tragic stories of people picking up superbugs in hospitals. It's high-time the Government took proper action.

"Most of the solutions to MRSA are not rocket science. They are basic common sense. Ensuring that hospital beds aren't over-used and wards are properly cleaned are the first few vital steps that must be taken."