Care row brother contractssuperbug

From the archive, first published Wednesday 13th Sep 2006.

AN Acton Bridge man fighting for the authorities to pay for his sick brother's care has suffered a new setback.

Steve Johnson's brother Rod, 53, is currently at Redwalls Nursing Home in Sandiway having suffered a massive stroke on May 24 last year.

Now Rod is suffering from the superbug methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for the second time since being admitted into the home in March.

Waiting

It is believed he caught it through a tube, which is feeding him through his stomach.

Stephen, of Strawberry Lane, is presently waiting for an independent panel to assess who should pay for Rod's care.

He is absolutely distraught about the latest development.

Stephen said: "I was absolutely gutted when they told me.

"It's just something else on a long list of problems."

Meanwhile members of the charitable organization MRSA Action UK, along with invited dignitaries, will be attending an Evensong service at Westminster Abbey at 5pm on Thursday.

This service will include a special prayer for victims of healthcare associated infections.

Following the service blue, pink and white roses, together with other flowers, will be laid at the innocent victims memorial in the precincts of the Abbey.

Mavis Law, from Winsford, whose son died of MRSA, will be attending the service.

She said: "These roses are not just for the people who have died but also those who are living and are affected by MRSA.

"We shall be laying a rose for Stephen's brother Rod.

"We just want to keep this issue in the public domain."