Nigel Pritchard caught MRSA after going to hospital

An inquest at Wrexham heard that Nigel Pritchard, 57, had been well before his visit to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Six days after having injections there, he was taken back by ambulance and died.

The hospital said it has so far has not been possible to determine the source of the infection.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Monday.

Mr Pritchard, a former brewery worker from Cefn Road, Wrexham, had been suffering from arthritis.

I found MRSA - now called the hospital super bug - which is no doubt the cause of Mr Pritchard's death Dr Roger Williams, pathologist

His partner of 20 years, Jacqueline Parker, told the inquest Mr Pritchard went to Wrexham Maelor Hospital on 3 August for an injection to ease pain in his left knee and decided to have the right knee injected at the same time, although it was less painful.

He fell ill after going home by ambulance, but a doctor who was called over the next few days did not appreciate the seriousness of his condition.

Ms Parker said: "He was getting vacant - not like the man I knew.

"He was just lying there. They said it would take a couple of days for the injection to settle down.

Overwhelming infection

"On Saturday night I telephoned another doctor and they came on Sunday with an ambulance.

"He never spoke again. On the Monday morning he died."

Pathologist Dr Roger Williams told the inquest that the post mortem examination showed overwhelming infection and septicaemia which came from the injections, although the surgeon had used sterile needles.

He said: "I found MRSA - now called the hospital super bug - which is no doubt the cause of Mr Pritchard's death."

John Gittins, deputy coroner for North East Wales, said common sense supported Ms Parker's view that if her partner had not gone to hospital he would still be alive.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, he said if the family wanted to take further action they should seek advice.

"I am not here to apportion blame," he said.

"Whatever procedures are done, there will also be an element of risk, and that is the same for minor procedures.

"He decided to have the injections and thought it was the right thing to do.

"The evidence of the pathologist supports the conclusion that the infection came from the injections at the hospital.

"It is entirely up to you if you take this further".

North East Wales NHS Trust said it extended its "deepest sympathy" to Mr Pritchard's family.

It said it operated "strict infection control practices" which had resulted in the numbers of MRSA infections identified within the trust being reduced by over 50% over the last two years.

The statement issued by the trust said a "thorough investigation" of Mr Pritchard's case was being carried out.

"This has included reviewing the procedures followed when treating Mr Pritchard, taking statements from and screening of all staff involved in his care,and testing of the injection material," the statement said.