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Coma man contracts superbug
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| Royston Godwin |
A MAN left in a coma after a savage attack in December has contracted MRSA.
Now his family are furious. claiming they were not told for several weeks, until they questioned why there was a medical barrier around his room.
Royston Godwin, 55, was assaulted at his room in Commercial Road, Newport on December 23.
The vicious attack left him in a coma, from which he has still not regained consciousness.
He was initially taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, but was moved to St Woolos hospital at the beginning of February.
But last week Mr Godwin's wife, Jean, a former nurse, noticed he was being barrier-nursed.
She said she questioned why, and was told he had contracted the infection at the Royal Gwent, more than six weeks before.
She has since been told he has only had MRSA since February 29.
But the family are angry. claiming they were kept in the dark and are still not sure when he contracted the hospital superbug.
Mr Godwin's daughter, Rachel Godwin, 36, of Agincourt Street, Newport, said: "My father is already seriously ill and we don't know if he will pull through.
"I'm angry that firstly they weren't going to tell us he had MRSA and secondly his condition has now been made even worse.
"But now the family can't even be close to dad because of it.
"He is part vegetative. But he can feel pain and MRSA can be painful. I am gutted.
"It was bad enough knowing that someone put him in that state.
"Of course, we know there are always chances of getting MRSA, we accept that. But the family expects to be told at the very first instance. Not to simply be told nothing and left to find out themselves."
Miss Godwin is now considering making a formal complaint.
A Gwent NHS Trust spokesman said: "A meeting has taken place between the family, members of the nursing team, a patients' representative, and a member of our infection
control team.
"We were fully open in the discussion and have apologised to the family."
6:22am Monday 24th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Lynn, Dorset on 7:25am Mon 24 Mar 08
1. This is terrible, this poor man has suffered enough, the hospital should be taking care of all their patients, the reasons why he is in hospital.
2. Why has the hospital not enough nursing staff and cleaners?
3. Reasons why the Newport hospital should not be allowed to expand, not enough staff, why isn't the money spend on staff? 4. Smaller hospitals are easier to protect the patients and to maintain and to pay for more staff
1. This is terrible, this poor man has suffered enough, the hospital should be taking care of all their patients, the reasons why he is in hospital.
2. Why has the hospital not enough nursing staff and cleaners?
3. Reasons why the Newport hospital should not be allowed to expand, not enough staff, why isn't the money spend on staff? 4. Smaller hospitals are easier to protect the patients and to maintain and to pay for more staff
Posted by: john on 10:25am Mon 24 Mar 08
It’s properly safer to be hospitalised in a third world country these days.
British hospitals are a disgrace; if he were a member of my family I would prosecute them to the hilt. Maybe if people kept prosecuting hospitals they might find it cheaper to employ proper cleaners
The main mode of transmission of MRSA is via hands (especially health care workers' hands) which may become contaminated by contact with a) colonized or infected patients,
So why don’t they clean their hands.
You go to any hospital ward, you will see them going from ward to ward without washing person to person with out washing.
They should be re trained in hygiene
I hope Royston pulls threw this.
If your family member is in hospital watch the staff like a hawk
As I said before I had to ask a nurse to wash her hands before touching my son’s open wound
Jilted john
It’s properly safer to be hospitalised in a third world country these days.
British hospitals are a disgrace; if he were a member of my family I would prosecute them to the hilt. Maybe if people kept prosecuting hospitals they might find it cheaper to employ proper cleaners
The main mode of transmission of MRSA is via hands (especially health care workers' hands) which may become contaminated by contact with a) colonized or infected patients,
So why don’t they clean their hands.
You go to any hospital ward, you will see them going from ward to ward without washing person to person with out washing.
They should be re trained in hygiene
I hope Royston pulls threw this.
If your family member is in hospital watch the staff like a hawk
As I said before I had to ask a nurse to wash her hands before touching my son’s open wound
Jilted john
Posted by: tim, Magor on 11:03am Mon 24 Mar 08
My friend is a Nurse and she says that the doctors on their rounds are the worst culprits as they go from one person to another without wearing gloves and washing their hands.
My friend is a Nurse and she says that the doctors on their rounds are the worst culprits as they go from one person to another without wearing gloves and washing their hands.
Posted by: mtrisca, risca on 11:57am Mon 24 Mar 08
I work occasionally with healthcare professionals and they all agree that consultants are the worst culprits, as Tim said above. My father is in hospital at the RGH, recovering from a major operation and I am more worried about him contracting MRSA than I am about his recovery from the operation. There really is no excuse for people not washing their hands or wearing gloves, there are alcohol rub dispensers placed throughout the wards and on the end of nearly every bed, and boxes of gloves everywhere. It's an added worry to anyone with a relative etc in hospital.
I work occasionally with healthcare professionals and they all agree that consultants are the worst culprits, as Tim said above. My father is in hospital at the RGH, recovering from a major operation and I am more worried about him contracting MRSA than I am about his recovery from the operation. There really is no excuse for people not washing their hands or wearing gloves, there are alcohol rub dispensers placed throughout the wards and on the end of nearly every bed, and boxes of gloves everywhere. It's an added worry to anyone with a relative etc in hospital.
Posted by: madge, npt on 2:29pm Mon 24 Mar 08
HATE THE GWENT FULL OF DISEASES. just look at the people visiting with there prams and buggys and those have been pushed through our streets. The place is unclean. Wont catch me visisting anyone in there as you could catch something and end up in there yourself. ALL NURSES DOCTORS ETC, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WEAR THERE UNIFORM HOME AS YOU DONT KNOW HOW CLEAN THEY ARE SORRY BUT THEY MIGHT HAVE PETS AT HOME AND THEY MIGHT WEAR THE SAME UNIFORM TO WORK AGAIN, URGGHH! HOSPITALS SHOULD ADDRESS THE UNIFORM SITUATION.
HATE THE GWENT FULL OF DISEASES. just look at the people visiting with there prams and buggys and those have been pushed through our streets. The place is unclean. Wont catch me visisting anyone in there as you could catch something and end up in there yourself. ALL NURSES DOCTORS ETC, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WEAR THERE UNIFORM HOME AS YOU DONT KNOW HOW CLEAN THEY ARE SORRY BUT THEY MIGHT HAVE PETS AT HOME AND THEY MIGHT WEAR THE SAME UNIFORM TO WORK AGAIN, URGGHH! HOSPITALS SHOULD ADDRESS THE UNIFORM SITUATION.
Posted by: The Avon Lady, High Cross on 3:19pm Mon 24 Mar 08
Totally agree with you Madge the Hospital is an invitation for germs and diseases.I feel for the gentleman's family they have had enough to deal with and nowthis on top,i would not blame the family for making a formal complaint,not enough people do and things go unnoticed.
Totally agree with you Madge the Hospital is an invitation for germs and diseases.I feel for the gentleman's family they have had enough to deal with and nowthis on top,i would not blame the family for making a formal complaint,not enough people do and things go unnoticed.
Posted by: Mrs A, Newport on 5:04pm Mon 24 Mar 08
When my mother was in RGH quite a while ago, I would visit her regularly as I worked there. I was not told about her having MRSA and as the other family, I only found out when I questioned why she was being barrier nursed. I was extremly angry at this as my work took me to the children's wards and various other places inside the Gwent. I think the families should be notified immediately and preventativer measures put in place.
My mother has since passed away but catching the MRSA caused her to lose half her heel due to the ferociousness of the disease, she already was poorly with MS so you would think that a close watch would have been kept for any obvious signs. Mum has since passed away from Septicemia and I often wonder whather this was secondary to the MRSA infection on the skin.
If the Trust can afford to deep clean the stairwells and the walls, strangely enough before an MP came to open the new maternity unit!!?? -surely they can afford to employ more staff to clean the wards to reduce the risks.
When my mother was in RGH quite a while ago, I would visit her regularly as I worked there. I was not told about her having MRSA and as the other family, I only found out when I questioned why she was being barrier nursed. I was extremly angry at this as my work took me to the children's wards and various other places inside the Gwent. I think the families should be notified immediately and preventativer measures put in place.
My mother has since passed away but catching the MRSA caused her to lose half her heel due to the ferociousness of the disease, she already was poorly with MS so you would think that a close watch would have been kept for any obvious signs. Mum has since passed away from Septicemia and I often wonder whather this was secondary to the MRSA infection on the skin.
If the Trust can afford to deep clean the stairwells and the walls, strangely enough before an MP came to open the new maternity unit!!?? -surely they can afford to employ more staff to clean the wards to reduce the risks.
Posted by: Mrs A, Newport on 5:06pm Mon 24 Mar 08
I forgot to give my best wishes to Mr Godwins' family and my thoughts are with you that he pulls through.
I forgot to give my best wishes to Mr Godwins' family and my thoughts are with you that he pulls through.
Posted by: Charles, Monmouth on 5:26pm Mon 24 Mar 08
Contract cleaners hired because they are the cheapest.
Nurses travelling to work in their uniforms- they might have been dropping off rubbish at a tip on the way- who knows.
Visitors allowed to camp out at the bedside; some of the ethnic families are amongst the worst.
Beds and wards so fully occupied in order to meet New Labour "targets" that there is no opportunity to clean properly.
No wonder hospital infections are on the rapid increase.
Contract cleaners hired because they are the cheapest.
Nurses travelling to work in their uniforms- they might have been dropping off rubbish at a tip on the way- who knows.
Visitors allowed to camp out at the bedside; some of the ethnic families are amongst the worst.
Beds and wards so fully occupied in order to meet New Labour "targets" that there is no opportunity to clean properly.
No wonder hospital infections are on the rapid increase.
Posted by: Robbo, Torfaen on 5:55pm Mon 24 Mar 08
I have to go to the RGH soon and I must admit I am dreading it. To be honest I think I would rather be treated at the local vets as as least their surgery is kept immaculate and cleaned regular. (ASLO ALL THE BEST TO MR GOLDWIN AND HOPING HE MAKES A FULL RECOVERY).
I have to go to the RGH soon and I must admit I am dreading it. To be honest I think I would rather be treated at the local vets as as least their surgery is kept immaculate and cleaned regular. (ASLO ALL THE BEST TO MR GOLDWIN AND HOPING HE MAKES A FULL RECOVERY).
Posted by: npt nurse, newport city on 6:59pm Mon 24 Mar 08
Please do not brand every nurse this way, we are trying our best to do a difficult job with what we have got. There are no changing rooms in the area i work and therefore unable to change in work, i do however go straight home change and shower, my uniform is washed straight away. I also wear a clean uniform each day. The infection control team are working closely with all staff with yearly training to try and prevent infections. I may add MRSA is also in the community not just in hospitals. I do however wish Godwin a speedy recovery.
Please do not brand every nurse this way, we are trying our best to do a difficult job with what we have got. There are no changing rooms in the area i work and therefore unable to change in work, i do however go straight home change and shower, my uniform is washed straight away. I also wear a clean uniform each day. The infection control team are working closely with all staff with yearly training to try and prevent infections. I may add MRSA is also in the community not just in hospitals. I do however wish Godwin a speedy recovery.
Posted by: madge, npt on 2:14pm Tue 25 Mar 08
MORE SO IN THE GWENT. MY FRIENDS NEW BORN PREMATURE BABY CAUGHT THAT BUG WHEN SHE WAS IN AN INCUBATOR. THE BABY HAD TO HAVE SEVERAL OPERATIONS AND HAS A DISABILITY, AND WILL SO FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. CLEAN HOSPITALS AND PEOPLE MY ARSE. IT WOULD COST THEM A LOT LESS TO CLEAN THERE ACT UP THAN TO PAY OUT COMPENSATION. HYGENE HYGENE
MORE SO IN THE GWENT. MY FRIENDS NEW BORN PREMATURE BABY CAUGHT THAT BUG WHEN SHE WAS IN AN INCUBATOR. THE BABY HAD TO HAVE SEVERAL OPERATIONS AND HAS A DISABILITY, AND WILL SO FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. CLEAN HOSPITALS AND PEOPLE MY ARSE. IT WOULD COST THEM A LOT LESS TO CLEAN THERE ACT UP THAN TO PAY OUT COMPENSATION. HYGENE HYGENE
Posted by: oakie, cwmbran on 5:02pm Tue 25 Mar 08
ALL NURSES DOCTORS ETC, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WEAR THERE UNIFORM HOME AS YOU DONT KNOW HOW CLEAN THEY ARE SORRY BUT THEY MIGHT HAVE PETS AT HOME AND THEY MIGHT WEAR THE SAME UNIFORM TO WORK AGAIN, URGGHH! HOSPITALS SHOULD ADDRESS THE UNIFORM SITUATION.Well said Madge, your not allowed to wear your works clothes outside of a biscuit factory, so why a hospital.
ALL NURSES DOCTORS ETC, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WEAR THERE UNIFORM HOME AS YOU DONT KNOW HOW CLEAN THEY ARE SORRY BUT THEY MIGHT HAVE PETS AT HOME AND THEY MIGHT WEAR THE SAME UNIFORM TO WORK AGAIN, URGGHH! HOSPITALS SHOULD ADDRESS THE UNIFORM SITUATION.Well said Madge, your not allowed to wear your works clothes outside of a biscuit factory, so why a hospital.
Posted by: npt nurse, newport city on 8:08pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Yes Madge i agree with you, uniforms should not be worn home but if there is no changing facilities then i am afraid staff are limited. I would change in work if i had some where apart from the toilets to change. I do not want to take the germs home to my family neither, that is why i change and shower straight away and wash my uniform on its own. I agree there probably are some nurses and other staff who are not as hygenic as they should be but there is a high percentage of patients and relatives who are not so clean as well. There is also relatives who insist on visitng when they know they are unwell with illnesses such as Flu and D&V but always blame the staff when their reatives are then taken ill. This is a two way process and with everyone working together and adequate changing facilities we may reduce the infections being passed on.
I have no problem approaching staff or visitors who do not use the hand gel on entering or leaving the area i work. Lets hope when the new hospitals are built wherever it maybe they will have adequate facilities to combat this problem!
Yes Madge i agree with you, uniforms should not be worn home but if there is no changing facilities then i am afraid staff are limited. I would change in work if i had some where apart from the toilets to change. I do not want to take the germs home to my family neither, that is why i change and shower straight away and wash my uniform on its own. I agree there probably are some nurses and other staff who are not as hygenic as they should be but there is a high percentage of patients and relatives who are not so clean as well. There is also relatives who insist on visitng when they know they are unwell with illnesses such as Flu and D&V but always blame the staff when their reatives are then taken ill. This is a two way process and with everyone working together and adequate changing facilities we may reduce the infections being passed on.
I have no problem approaching staff or visitors who do not use the hand gel on entering or leaving the area i work. Lets hope when the new hospitals are built wherever it maybe they will have adequate facilities to combat this problem!
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