Victims of the hospital superbug MRSA have a come step closer to winning the right to sue the NHS, after a judge refused to dismiss the case of a Lanarkshire grandmother who claims her life has been ruined by the superbug.

Lawyers representing Elizabeth Miller who was diagnosed with MRSA in 2001 while recovering from a heart operation at Glasgow Royal Infirmary argue that failure to implement the hospital's own hand washing hygiene policy led to the infection.

Mrs Miller, 71, wants to sue Greater Glasgow NHS Board for £30,000 compensation, claiming her life has been turned upside down since she contracted the bug.

There was a preliminary hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January, where Judge Lady Clark was asked to rule on whether there was a case in law for Mrs Miller to proceed with a full compensation claim.

On Wednesday May 14, Lady Clark said there should be a full hearing.

A raft of other potential cases are awaiting the outcome of the action, and Lady Clark said: "If numerous claims existed, there may be merit in enabling litigation to be pursued to encourage hospitals to take reasonable care for patients to prevent infection with MRSA."

Lawyers for the NHS board claim the infection was treated as early as possible and contest suggestions that a nasal swab taken from Mrs Miller shows that she did not have the infection before she entered hospital.

They denied negligence and argued that the case should be dismissed.

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Superbug victims get green light to sue NHS - The Scotsman