A PATIENT has died after being discharged from an infected winter vomiting virus ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The sudden death of Elaine Kearney has prompted concern from her family that she may have caught highly contagious norovirus before being sent home.

The hospital yesterday said it offered sympathy to the family but felt it would be appropriate to wait until after the funeral before making any detailed response.

The fatality comes a week after The Chronicle told how the bug had struck the Liverpool Road health park for the second time in two years.

During the past fortnight, a total of 49 staff and patients have been hit by the virus which forced the closure of the Watergate and Meadows wards.

Mrs Kearney, 56, was admitted to the Watergate ward on Monday, December 6 following swelling to her ankles and heart trouble.

The virus hit the Watergate ward on Thursday, December 9 and medics closed it for six days to contain the bug. Patients remained in isolation and visiting hours were restricted.

Mrs Kearney was discharged at 7.30pm on December 9 and her family say her condition then deteriorated rapidly. She died in the Countess high dependency unit in the early hours of last Wednesday.

At the family's request, an independent Home Office pathologist carried out a post-mortem examination on Monday. It ruled that Mrs Kearney, of Stanney Lane, Little Stanney, died of natural causes.

No decision has yet been taken by her family as to whether or not they plan to take any further action.

The winter vomiting virus can be serious where the person is frail and vulnerable, like Mrs Kearney. Members of her family were this week coming to terms with her death.

Mrs Kearney's brother Howard Bolton, a retired detective inspector with Merseyside Police, has provided a statement to the Home Office pathologist.

Mr Bolton, 54, of Lathom, Lancashire, said: 'Elaine was discharged after being told there was a germ in her ward.

'My sister was not elderly but she was frail. She was a vulnerable person in terms of her medical history.

'I want to know why my sister was discharged from hospital and what tests were conducted prior to her being discharged to show she did not have the winter vomiting virus. Why was she not placed in another ward?'

After being discharged, Mrs Kearney complained that every time she looked at food she felt sick.

'Elaine deteriorated and was re-admitted to the Countess on December 13. She was placed in the high dependency unit and was placed on oxygen,' said Mr Bolton, who is supporting his sister's husband Terence.

'Terence was told that Elaine was seriously ill and that putting her on a ventilator was not an option as she was not strong enough. She died at 6am last Wednesday.'

Mr Bolton added: 'I was told Elaine was seriously ill the night before she died.

'As you can imagine, I had a sleepless night and tried to comprehend what was happening. During the night I began to ask myself what was this germ on my sister's ward.

'I feel Elaine should not have been discharged. As far as I am concerned, there are questions as to my sister's care and the care of the community.'

A hospital spokeswoman said yesterday: 'The hospital has been in close contact with Mrs Kearney's family and we offer them again our deep sympathy.

'Although we are very willing to respond to the questions raised by The Chronicle, we feel that out of respect for Mrs Kearney and her family we should delay doing so until after her funeral.'