BY MARK McKELVEY

WITH the shocking news that a patient infected with MRSA at the Erne Hospital has died, Omagh Town UUP Cllr Ross Hussey has called for the Western Health Trust to be disbanded. He stressed this latest outbreak is the latest in a "catalogue of errors".

It was revealed last Friday that an increased number of patients with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) have been detected in Ward 9 at the Enniskillen Hospital, and as a result of which this ward that treats older patients has now been temporarily closed to the admission of new patients.

The Western Trust said MRSA was not the main cause of death in the case of the patient who died.

Since June 16, a total of ten patients with MRSA in Ward 9 have been detected. Two patients were confirmed as having an MRSA infection (Bacteraemia) and eight patients were found to be carriers of MRSA but not infected. Seven patients remain in hospital.

With acute services having been removed from Tyrone, local patients now have to avail of the services at the Erne.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust has said it is taking every measure possible to contain the incidence of MRSA at the hospital.

Director of Primary Care and Older People's Services with the Western Trust, Alan Corry-Finn said, "The health and safety of patients, clients, visitors and staff is of paramount importance. Appropriate infection control measures are being taken by the Trust to deal with the situation, including the decision to temporarily close the ward to admission of new patients.

"The Trust has moved quickly to contain this situation. Screening for MRSA of patients and staff is continuing and the outcome of this will determine any further action necessary, including any decision in relation to when the ward could reopen to new admissions. In keeping with nationally agreed infection prevention and control measures, patients in Ward 9 are being treated in single rooms as appropriate."

Responding to this outbreak, of which there were numerous similar cases last year, Cllr Hussey said the Trust have obviously not learnt their lesson.

He said, "Once MRSA has been contracted, patients are supposed to be isolated but this doesn't seem to be the case in the Erne, which then leaves other patients vulnerable to it.

"We have seen yet again that this Trust is incapable of doing what they should be doing. I have always had major concerns about the management of the Western Health and Social Care Trust and specifically with relation to MRSA.

"The poor levels of cleanliness at the Erne were highlighted in the Bugwatch report. They were supposed to have taken action after this, but they clearly haven't taken sufficient action.

"I don't think this Trust will ever learn lessons and personally I believe it should be disbanded because my faith in them has totally gone. I have no trust in them at all and feel it is time they went - lock, stock and barrel. Get rid of all the existing directors and non-executive directors and replace them with people capable of doing the job. For too long there has been a catalogue of errors. It would be a comedy of errors if it wasn't so serious."

Visitors to the hospital are asked to co-operate fully with the infection control measures in place and should avoid visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell, particularly if they have diarrhoea or vomiting and they are asked not to bring small children to visit.

"We have seen yet again that this Trust is incapable of doing what they should be doing."

– Ross Hussey