A woman whose mother died in York District Hospital after contracting the "superbug" MRSA is claiming poor nursing standards and dirty wards contributed to her early death.

Sheridan Stead, of Elvington, lost her mother, Joan Hargreaves, on August 14.

Mrs Hargreaves, aged 62, died of pneumonia and septicaemia, after being diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in June.

Four days before she died, Mrs Hargreaves was put into isolation, after contracting MRSA.

Mrs Stead believes the attention her mother received, including unclean conditions, and not being given anti-inflammatory suppositories on two occasions, paid a part in her catching the bug and her quick death.

Hospital chiefs have conceded that hygiene on the ward was an issue. In a letter to Mrs Stead, Simon Pleydell, the chief executive of York Health Trust, said: "I note your comments about the standard of cleanliness on the ward and I know that this matter has been raised by other patients and relatives as well as members of the nursing staff."

He said discussions had been held with the cleaning contractors, improvements had been made and the situation was still being monitored.

Concerns over MRSA were being addressed and discussions held about preventative treatment.

Mr Pleydell added: "It is important that the correct decision is made so that MRSA does not become resistant to antibiotics."

Mrs Stead is angry that her mother's condition was not more closely monitored after a successful nine-hour operation to remove a tumour on July 19.

Mrs Hargreaves suffered from an immune deficiency condition known as CREST syndrome for 15 years - but lived a normal life until the malignant tumour was diagnosed on June 14.

Mrs Stead said: "At no point were we told that mum's cancer would bring about such a quick death. Obviously we understood the seriousness of her condition and that she should be nursed carefully because of her low immune system, but her death before she was even able to leave hospital came as a great shock."

After her operation, Mrs Hargreaves spent two weeks in intensive care before being moved to Ward 14.

Then Mrs Stead said "the nightmare began", adding: "She was put in a normal ward which can only be described as filthy."

She claimed her mother had to wash herself, and on one occasion she washed her mother after she found her "in a dirty nightgown full of stains from her seeping wounds on her shoulder."

She claimed drugs were not administered at correct times, and some nurses did not understand CREST.

Mr Pleydell apologised that Mrs Hargreaves was not washed properly and that certain medication was not administered correctly.

Mrs Stead is not satisfied with the response and is to meet hospital chiefs for further discussions.

Penny Goff, assistant director for complaints and user involvement, said: "We would hope to meet with Mrs Stead as we want to resolve her concerns."

Director of nursing, Mike Proctor, said MRSA must have been a factor in Mrs Hargreaves' death, but could not say how major, adding she could have been affected by other bacteria and had undergone major surgery.

He added: "MRSA is a fact of life for all acute hospitals these days. There's nothing specific about Ward 14."

emma.harrison@ycp.co.uk