A WREXHAM mum who fought back from the brink of death after an E.coli outbreak has hit out at Assembly chiefs’ handling of the killer bug.

Karen Morrisroe, 34, of Rhosnesni, was one of four people from the area struck down with the killer bug during an outbreak in Llay last July.

She battled for her life for several weeks, having to be separated from baby son Oliver for months while she was in hospital.

One year on from the terrifying ordeal she is back to health and working full-time again.

Now, as the anniversary of her nightmare approaches Karen has slammed ministers for failing to listen to a key report into the illness, and says ‘lax’ hygiene
standards are putting others at risk.

She believes investment is the key to stopping other people suffering, and that the nation as a whole could learn from Wrexham’s approach.

Karen said: “I don’t think the Assembly government is doing enough to combat e.coli. Much more should be done to prevent anyone else having to suffer what I went through after contracting it last year.

“One of things which could help is the ‘scores on the doors’ system, which ranks food premises with stars from zero to five according to their hygiene standards.

“At the moment only Wrexham and Swansea have it and I know the Assembly government wants to see it spread across Wales.

“But it must also be made compulsory and not left to individual councils to decide whether to adopt it or not.

“I also want to see the existing food hygiene laws tightened up.”

Bug splits Assembly

AMs crossed swords over E.coli in a heated debate at the Assembly.

Tory AM Andrew RT Davies personally criticised first minister Carwyn Jones in the Senedd.

His concerns focused on the Pennington Inquiry, carried out after an outbreak in South Wales in 2005.

Karen said she blamed ministers generally for the alleged lack of action, rather than just Mr Jones.

Carwyn Jones has strongly rejected accusations he and the Assembly government have not done enough to prevent further e.coli outbreaks.