A pensioner who contracted MRSA in Airedale Hospital was discharged to a residential home for the elderly without his family being told he had contracted the superbug.

Frank Priestley, who is suffering from the early stages of dementia, was moved to Bradford Council-run Norman Lodge, in Eccleshill, after spending almost four weeks at the hospital.

His daughter Sharon Marsden only discovered her father had MRSA when she stumbled on some notes from the hospital intended for the district nurse.

The 72-year-old former RAF drill instructor was admitted to Airedale in February, after falling at his home in Scarborough Court, Cullingworth.

He had a large cut on his back, a sore on his arm and was severely dehydrated.

Mrs Marsden, 46, of Bingley, said: "I found a folder in his room with some bandages for the sore on his back and some notes. It was circled in big letters that he had MRSA and that the results of tests had confirmed it the day before. We were mortified.

"While he was in hospital my dad had been moved from a bay of four people in the ward to a side room but when I had asked why, I was told it was because the beds were needed.

"Every time I went to the hospital I asked about my dad. I feel like I have been fobbed off. Someone should have told us he had MRSA and told us how you pick up the infection. The hospital did blood tests two weeks ago and told me they thought he could have a water infection."

Mrs Marsden said her dad appeared to deteriorate rapidly and she was concerned her children could have been at risk from the infection during hospital visits.

Staff at Norman Lodge were informed of Mr Priestley's condition, but not his immediate family.

"I noticed the nurse in the care home was using a solution," said Mrs Marsden. "I had a word with the care home and was told we should use it every time we went in and out of the room.

"But my eight-year-old son had already been into the hospital to see my dad."

Mrs Marsden has complained to the hospital, but said she was not satisfied with its response.

A spokesman for Airedale NHS Trust said: "As an NHS trust we are committed to ensuring patient confidentiality.

"However, we can reassure his family that the staff did follow all the correct procedures in informing all the appropriate parties, including the GP and nursing home, of the circumstances.

"The family have already been in contact with us and we would like to again offer them the opportunity to speak to or meet with our staff, so the circumstances can be fully explained and discussed and we can allay any further concerns they may have."

Pater Kay, head of Bradford Council's adult services, which runs Norman Lodge, said: "We were informed by the hospital that this patient had suffered from MRSA.

"We do not discriminate in any way and were happy to take him in at Norman Lodge, where he is being well cared for by our staff.

"We have a very strong hygiene control policy, which is strictly adhered to by all our staff at all times.

"Although MRSA does not cause us any particular concern, we do take extra care in cases of this kind."