HEALTH chiefs have been accused of being too slow to investigate the death of an 82-year-old widow who contracted the deadly MRSA superbug at Southampton General Hospital.

Grandmother-of-four Julia Bird died in a nursing home from the infection she picked up from an eight-week stay in hospital, during which she was moved between four wards.

The former bank worker’s £3,000 wedding ring, which she was wearing following a fall at her Nursling home, was also removed and never recovered.

Now her family have claimed health bosses have ignored their complaints.

They say they have been left in limbo waiting for answers from the hospital about what action it will take to prevent anyone else having to go through the same ordeal.

Her son Andrew Bird has complained to Southampton University Hospitals Trust, the Healthcare Commission and the Health Service Ombudsman about his late mother’s care.

The Healthcare Commission, the healthcare watchdog, referred Mr Bird’s concerns about MRSA back to the trust – but four months later he has still heard nothing.

Mr Bird, 49, who works in online marketing, still does not know whether the trust has implemented changes following his complaints, which were upheld by the Healthcare Commission, including a recommendation to improve communication with relatives.

The Healthcare Commission also asked hospital bosses to provide Mr Bird with details about what the trust has done to maintain patients’ continuity of care – but four months later he has heard nothing.

Mr Bird said: “My mother was admitted following a fall at home. Within 24 hours she was diagnosed as medically fit, but then she picked up a urinary infection at the hospital.

Deteriorate “We then witnessed her condition deteriorate rapidly as she grew weaker and weaker. We were never given any explanation as to what was wrong with her. Eight weeks later she was moved to a nursing home where her MRSA was discovered.

“It is scandalous that she was released in this condition.

“The Healthcare Commission has asked the trust to investigate our complaints, but they are simply ignoring them.”

Judy Gillow, Southampton University Hospitals Trust’s director of nursing, said: “The trust is currently investigating a complaint from Andrew Bird in relation to the care and treatment of his late mother, Julia Bird. The investigation is ongoing and therefore we cannot comment further at this time.”