The widow of a Plymouth man who died after contracting a "superbug" while in hospital has said she wants justice for her husband's death.

Edgar Slade was admitted to Derriford Hospital in 2001 for emergency heart surgery - he became infected with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria.

Complaints by Mr Slade's wife, Betty, from Torpoint, have been dismissed by the NHS complaints procedure.

A hospital spokesman said there had been a full investigation into the matter.

Stethoscope hygiene

The MRSA bacteria includes several strains of germ that are not killed by powerful antibiotics.

30% of the population carry the bacteria without it causing any infection.

But it is more of a problem to people with deep wounds, catheters or drips.

Mrs Slade said hygiene was poor in intensive care: "Nobody was asked to use this alcohol rub on your hands, which was what normally happens and what happens on the private clinic."

Mrs Slade was not satisfied with the hospital's handling of her complaint and took the case to the Health Service Ombudsman.

The ombudsman said doctors can spread the MRSA bug by using the same stethoscope as they moved from one patient to another.

But Mrs Slade has been told the case is not suitable for further investigation.

A spokesman for Derriford Hospital said it encourages clinical staff to keep their stethoscopes clean.