St Ebba's patient treated for 'rodent bite'
An investigation is being carried out after a patient with learning disabilities suffered a suspected rodent bite at a hospital in Surrey.
Jason Ketley, 42, was taken to Accident and Emergency by staff from St Ebba's Hospital, Epsom, after the incident in November last year.
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said reports from staff suggested the animal was a mouse.
"Mr Ketley has recovered well," said Jo Young, director of quality and nursing.
"This would be a horrible thing to happen to anybody but to happen to a very vulnerable person it is very serious."
The NHS Trust runs two social care homes and assessment, treatment and inpatient services at St Ebba's.
Ms Young said Mr Ketley suffered injuries to his back and was treated at A&E for potential rodent bites.
His family registered an official complaint about the incident in January.
"It was reported that a mouse was seen in the house a few days beforehand and clearly Mr Ketley did suffer some injuries," said Ms Young.
"There is a suggestion that a mouse was seen close to Mr Ketley and our investigation is looking at that in more detail."
She said St Ebba's was in a rural area near Horton Country Park.
"There is a new housing development going on which may be causing some disturbance but we do have regular pest control and emergency call-out programmes should we identify any rodents in the area."