Family seek superbug death apology

THE family of a woman who died after contracting a superbug during a stay in hospital is still hoping for a formal apology.

The East and North Herts PCT expressed its sympathies to the family of Joyce Lloyd, 77, of Ashwell, who contracted clostridium difficile - or C Difficile - during a stay at Royston hospital in August 2007. She died a week later.

Last month her family received a five-figure compensation sum in an out of court settlement with PCT.

But Janet Fenton, Mrs Lloyd's daughter, said the PCT had not formerly apologised for her mother's death after agreeing the pay out.

She said: "It wasn't about the money, what can that do? It won't bring my mum back.

"We just wanted them to admit they were at fault for what happened to her, but all through this process no one from the hospital has apologised to us," she said.

Mrs Lloyd was admitted to hospital after having problems with her mobility. She was sent home a week later, but had picked up the C Difficile bacteria, which affects the intestines. She became unwell and was taken into Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge, where she died.

A spokesman for the East and North Herts PCT said they had sent a letter of condolences to the family in October last year.

She said: "[The PCT] is sorry to hear that Mrs Lloyd's family has not received our letter.

"The legal claim surrounding the treatment of Mrs Lloyd has now been resolved and a financial settlement agreed. As is usual in these proceedings our solicitor passed on our letter expressing our sincere condolences to the family's representatives in October 2009.

"We would like to take this opportunity to once again express our sympathies to Mrs Lloyd's family and to apologise for the additional distress this has caused them at this difficult time," she said.