During a two-month stay at the hospital, Lilian Clegg, from Morecambe, claims that she contracted the life-threatening MRSA virus, lost her heel due to an untreated bed sore, was moved to different wards in the middle of the night and was left unwashed for days.

She claims she was also left in a ward with other patients with the open, MRSA-ridden wound.

She was discharged from the hospital by a concerned relative on Tuesday and is sleeping on her couch while she awaits social services. Lilian, who initially had been admitted to the RLI after a fall, and had not been in hospital for 21 years, said: "I couldn't possibly tell you how I felt after the way I was treated...I was extremely distressed.
"I ended up in tears which is not like me at all.

"They just shoved me into a ward in a chair for hours and hours. I just sat there. Nobody came to speak to me. It started with a little bump, just a little fall, but it has turned into an enormous event."

Suzannah Harwood, Lilian's great-great granddaughter, said that Lilian was subject to a "catalogue of errors" after being admitted on April 21. She was discharged on May 12 but collapsed on May 15 and had to be re-admitted after another fall.

Suzannah believes that the MRSA alone was responsible for her second fall as it had eaten away at a "necrotised untreated wound" on her foot.

She added: "She was taken from one ward to another but no-one realised that there wouldn't be a bed available for at least nine hours.
"That in itself is bad enough.

"But throw into the mix that she is immobile, infectious with MRSA, is an insulin-dependant diabetic and was left without water, missed hermedication and was in need of the toilet.

"The poor old girl was in a terrible state when I arrived in the afternoon.

"Her bags of belongings were dumped at her feet, although she was unable to get anything out as they forgot to bring her zimmer frame with her.

"It was a disgusting and appalling way to treat an elderly lady. I had no choice but to take her from the hospital."

Miss Harwood's mother, Val Harwood, has officially complained to the hospital.

A spokesperson for the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust said: "We always encourage people to write to us regarding their experiences in our hospitals so that we can recognise good practice and where necessary, improve the patient experience.

"This lady's family have lodged a complaint with the Trust.

"Each issue will be fully investigated and we will respond directly to the patient and her family."