THE heart-broken family of a Gwent man who died after a series of illnesses, including the superbug MRSA, say they are still searching for answers.

Kevin Harris, from Pontypool, died 18 months ago after suffering a brain haemorrhage while on holiday in West Wales.

He was admitted first to the West Wales Hospital in Carm-arthen and then Morriston Hospital in Swansea, and according to his family appeared to be on the road to recovery, despite being put on life support.

But then they were told he had MRSA and following further complications Mr Harris was dead just 10 days after being admitted to hospital.

The family say Swansea NHS told them he was screened for MRSA on arrival at Morriston, and that it believed Mr Harris, of Gordon Road, Talywain, was already a carrier.

But today his sister, Sharon Price, from Pontnewynydd, said she is still "shattered" by his death, and the family remains confused about the exact causes.

The 39-year-old's death certificate listed four causes of death: severe infection, brain haemorrhage, meningitis and multiple cerebral aneurysms.

"I feel we were robbed of a loving brother - we were in shock for months, it's only now that we felt able to ask for more answers," said the 38-year-old mother of two.

The family has complained to the trusts concerned through the complaints advocate at Gwent Community Health Council.

Questions from the family resulted in a response by the chief executive of Carmar-thenshire NHS Trust, Paul Barnett, that Mr Harris was not checked for MRSA when he was admitted to West Wales Hospital in Carmarthen in September 2004.

Questions were also sent to Swansea NHS Trust and a meeting is scheduled between the family and trust bosses.

"He had never been ill before in his life," said Mr Harris' mother, Anne Harris, 61, also of Gordon Road. "We thought he was going to be OK because he came round after a couple of days and was able to talk to his brother."

But three days later - five days after he was screened - staff told the family Mr Harris was infected with MRSA.

"I was handed a couple of leaflets about it and told he was going to be OK," said Mrs Harris.

The family are asking Swansea NHS Trust how frequently a patient on life support should be checked, whether the trust can say categorically that MRSA was not implicated in Mr Harris' death and why staff seemed positive about his chances.

Questions have also been asked about the trust's policy on hygiene and whether it is robust enough.

Carmarthen NHS Trust said it did not comment on individual cases and that Mrs Harris had received a full explanation.

A spokesman added: "We have expressed our sincere apologies to Mrs Price on the tragic loss of her brother.

"The Trust takes all complaints very seriously and aims to learn from them and take remedial action where appropriate in order to improve our services in the future."

Swansea NHS Trust said it also would not comment on individual cases, but confirmed it was in contact with the family.

Gwent Community Health Council said it could not comment on the case.