No-one would listen say parents

Nov 13 2009 by Lex Brown, Irvine Herald

A SPRINGSIDE couple who fought for five weeks to have their infant son’s sticky eye treated have now learned he has MRSA.

Russell Clark and Claire Baxter claim baby Rhys may have avoided the superbug if they had been listened to by health professionals from the start.

Russell, 27, said: “We noticed his eye was sticky just after he was born and we must have asked 20 or 30 times in the last five weeks to have it swabbed.

“We kept getting told it was a natural thing and to bathe his eye in water.

“But it didn’t get better.”

The couple claim they raised the matter with midwives at Crosshouse Hospital, doctors and health visitors. Then two weeks ago a community nurse at a drop-in clinic agreed to take a swab.

It was sent off for analysis and almost a week later the parents were told their son had the bug.

Six-week-old Rhys is being treated with antibiotics.

Russell added: “We’re glad our wee boy is finally getting the treatment he needs.”

Professor Craig White, assistant director of healthcare quality at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “The need for patient confidentiality prevents us from commenting on individuals.”