A woman whose grandmother died after contracting a lethal infection which swept through wards at North Middlesex Hospital is setting up a support group for victims' families.

Caterina Cotrulia, 93, died in September, 2005, after contracting clostridium difficile (C. diff) a bug which attacks the body causing severe diarrhoea and dehydration during her stay in Michael Bates Ward, in Sterling Way, Edmonton.

Her death sparked accusations of gross negligence after one other patient died and around 30 fell ill as the infection swept wards. Internal investigations were also launched.

Graziella Kontkowski, granddaughter of Ms Cotrulia, is now calling on families affected by C. diff, along with the superbug MRSA, to come forward.

Her support group aims to give victims a voice and offer practical advice and support. Ms Kontkowski also hopes to lobby the Government to bring the issue to the fore.

So far six families have joined the group, and include cases from Chase Farm Hospital in The Ridgeway, Enfield.

Ms Kontkowski said: "It is only through families complaining that any difference can be made.

"C. diff and MRSA are nasty infections and, as we have said, hospitals have to clean up their act. We want people to know C. diff and MRSA are killers."

North Middlesex Hospital maintains it has made significant improvements in reducing the number of infections across the hospital.

MRSA rates dropped by 50 per cent in 2005, while 22 cases of C. diff were reported between November and December below the national average.

If you would like to get in touch with Ms Kontkowski, email her at cdiff.action@yahoo.com