Local News 16.11.06 45k compensation over MRSA victim Croydon Guardian - Croydon, England, UK "The bereaved father and daughter of a Norbury woman (31) who died from MRSA after being admitted to a London hospital for a minor operation today won £45,000 compensation for their loss" "The following claims have been received in which MRSA was referred to. In all of these claims, however, there have been a number of contributing factors alleged, with MRSA being just one. This is why such claims are so difficult to analyse. Without going through the individual files, it is not possible to know how many of these claims have involved a letter to LSC. Notification Year to NHSLA 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06... Grand Total No of claims 3 3 12 48 76 70 ...10 ...222 7.10.05 You also refer to the making of apologies. I should like to point out that there is a circular on our website entitled ‘apologies and explanations’ which encourages healthcare professionals, including managers, to be honest and transparent with patients and their families. It states that “it is both natural and desirable for those involved in treatment which produces an adverse result, for whatever reason, to sympathise with the patient or the patient’s relatives and to express sorrow or regret at the outcome.” This document, as stated, is an update of the original which was produced in 1997." ... As can be seen from our Annual Report, the number of claims received has actually been falling over the past three years." Ruth Symons Risk Manager/FOI NHSLA National Health Service Litigation Authority 7.10.05 "To clarify matters, ... [we] helped draft a series of standard paragraphs to demonstrate that as a matter of law, legal claims relating to MRSA acquisition stood little chance of success. ... What I can confirm is that on occasions we have adapted these standard paragraphs for the purposes of letters that have been sent to the Legal Services Commission as part of the litigation process in particular cases. I apologise if we have caused any confusion..." "I said that I would respond to your request for the paragraphs we compiled, but unfortunately I will not be able to do so just now. I would be grateful if you could bear with me until next week." "Thank you for your request for the standard paragraphs we drafted. The documents we have on our systems are the property of this firm. They are confidential and we are therefore unable to disclose them to you." Simon Lindsay Partner, Bevan Brittan LLP Lawyers for the NHS Litigation Authority 9-29.9.05 HINT: In Health & Safety law (COSHH), the burden is on hospital Trusts to prove that they comply with their legal obligation. The onus is clearly on the hospitals or nursing homes to prove innocence unlike Common Law. Dear Grace If you look on our website, as I suggested in an earlier email, you will see that we deal with non-clinical as well as clinical claims. We will respond to your other points in due course." Ruth Ruth Symons Risk Manager NHSLA 15.9.05

MRSA Patient Protection System

Treatment options: photos and data intended only for healthcare professionals in the US mrsa Efficacy Data for ZYVOX antibiotic and vancomycin plus full details about side effects bacteriophage "highly effective" - 85.9% phage therapy 'before' and 'after' results more data comparing linezolid ZYVOX and vancomycin antibiotics Dept of Health Reply 22.09. 2005 "With regard to your question about phage therapy and European law, decisions concerning the funding of treatment are the responsibility of individual Primary Care Trusts ..." contd. "We would welcome such patients at our centre. In fact, we have very efficient phages against MRSA which proved their value for the treatment of active infections as well as eradicating MRSA carrier status. We look forward to hearing from you again, Yours sincerely, Prof.A.Gorski Director Polish Academy of Sciences 16th September 2005 "Unfortunately we have not been able to get past the government regulations in Mexico, but we did open a new clinic in Georgia; a number of people have already traveled there and have been treated successfully, we are rapidly building momentum." "Georgians have been using phages for decades and with no observed harmful effects. Prolonged use of antibiotics IS harmful, it is observed in every Western patient that enters our clinic." Chris Smith Vice President, Director of Information Technology Phage International, Inc., California Phage Therapy Center - Georgia 31st December 2005 "...It is therefore right that alternative treatments such as phage therapy should be considered" Steve Webb MP Lead Lib Dem Health Spokesman 11th October 2005

... "It can be no coincidence that the incidence of MRSA is highest in those hospital Trusts which also have the highest rates of bed occupancy"... the Rapid Review Panel have "failed spectacularly"... Andrew Lansley CBE MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health UK 13th July 2005 "Thanks for keeping me in the picture, and I note ACE's interest. I sympathise with your first-hand experience - my mother has just spent six weeks in hospital where she contracted MRSA following an operation (the hospital concerned - Kettering - was the the second worst in the recent press coverage of the new superbug, which you no doubt saw)." Stephen Dunmore Chief Executive Officer Big Lottery Fund UK 2nd September 2005 " ...I hope that your idea for the eradication of MRSA bears fruit. I like the idea about asking the new Health Secretary to fund your expenses for this but, like you, I feel perhaps you are unlikely to be successful in persuading her to do so!" Crispin Blunt Member of Parliament for Reigate 17.6.05 "Ms Filby also suggests various measures related to effecting a more pleasant environment for patients to help prevent MRSA. Her suggestions have been passed on to officials within the department." Lord Warner, Health Minister to Crispin Blunt MP, 28.1.05 "It is our view that, at present, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of natural healing scents and oils for these purposes in acute NHS Trusts. Our local policy decisions have to be made carefully and justifiably, and in the light of national evidence-based guidance which, currently, does not exist for these modalities in this context. We are, however, pleased that you have brought this issue to the attention of the Rapid Review Panel because assessing investigative, preventative and therapeutic innovations is the very reason for its existence, in order that local policy makers can make informed decisions. Therefore, should such evidence arise, it will be taken into account as part of our process of policy review. Thank you for your interest in our work here at the Trust, and for your desire to improve patient outcomes, which we share." Dr. Bruce A. Stewart Consultant Medical Microbiologist & Director of Infection Prevention and Control Surrey&Sussex 16th June 2005 "I looked into ecopsychology a few years ago. From memory I recall that research found that just paintings of woodland or natural landscape improved recovery time after operations and reduced the amount of medication required for post-op pain. The control was a white wall. Abstract paintings were not found to help to relax patients!!!!! From the research I would recommend pictures of countryside/woodland etc in offices with no natural views. Live film may not be necessary. Also real plants and small trees/shrubs may help in offices for other reasons too e.g. counter static electricity so that dust is attracted to their leaves. Therefore less dust attracted to employees especially those using computers. I suggest that putting up nature paintings/posters is a relatively cheap workplace intervention that may benefit employees. Of course, we need to undertake more research into this area as findings so far are tentative." Professor Stephen Palmer PhD City University, London 22.1.05 "I am sure that most of us would agree that a pleasant, lighter environment with nice views of the outside world is beneficial to an overall feeling of wellbeing in hospitalised patients - as in people generally... For the more seriously ill, who are also the most susceptible to healthcare associated infections, their immediate environment is inevitably occupied by the essential paraphernalia of modern medical care. Ill patients also require a controlled temperature environment and modern hospitals provide this through their balanced heating and air conditioning systems which are incompatible with fresh air and open windows." Prof. Brian Duerden Inspector of Microbiology and Infection Control, Rapid Review Panel, Dept of Health UK 24.2.05 "Should we be involved in similar work again, we will ensure we continue to include hydration and nutrition as part of the care of patients with C. difficile."  Dr. Heather Roberts Investigation Manager for Stoke Mandeville Investigation, Healthcare Commission 6.9.06 to top of page