February 8, 2001 17:16: THE widow of a man who died in Wycombe Hospital criticised NHS hygiene standards after hearing the superbug MRSA could have contributed to her husband's death.

Elizabeth Worley, 52, of Kite Wood Road, Penn, criticised the conditions at the hospital. She claimed that her husband's room at the hospital had been dirty.

Accountant Andrew Worley, 48, was admitted to the hospital in April of last year suffering from pancreatitis, a High Wycombe inquest heard on Tuesday.

Mr Worley initially seemed to be making a steady recovery but was rushed to an intensive care ward when his condition suddenly worsened in June and doctors identified the MRSA infection in his blood, the inquest heard.

Dr David Waghorn, consultant microbiologist at South Bucks NHS Trust said: "MRSA was only a small component of this man's sepsis. I personally do not think that MRSA was the sole cause of this death."

Mr Worley died in an operating theatre on June 28, during an attempt to insert a central line to aid his intake of food.

Recording a verdict of death from natural causes, Buckinghamshire Coroner Richard Hulett said the main factor in Mr Worley's death had been aspiration pneumonia caused by his acute pancreatitis.

South Bucks NHS Trust spokesman Martin Leaver said hospital staff had done everything possible for Mr Worley.

He added: "Issues surrounding MRSA and other infections were fully investigated at the inquest and were found to have played only a small part in Mr Worley's death. The consultant surgeon responsible for Mr Worley and the trust's chief executive wrote to the family on two separate occasions offering their condolences and offering to meet to discuss any concerns. None have been raised and no complaint has been lodged."

He added: "Since Mr Worley's death £100,000 has been spent on improvements to the environment at Wycombe Hospital and a further £100,000 is earmarked for the coming year. Standards of cleanliness are closely monitored."