Family angered that MasterChef star Ross Burden died from Legionnaires’ disease
The birth mother of late ‘MasterChef’ star Ross Burden, has expressed her anger, as it has been revealed that he died of Legionnaires’ disease whilst in hospital receiving treatment for leukaemia.
Now The ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ star’s birth mother, Julie Harwood, a former nurse who reconnected with Burden 25 years ago after putting him up for adoption, has lodged a formal complaint against Auckland Hospital.
She said she had attended the hospital, and that friends of Burden’s with medical training were alarmed to see a nebuliser given to him after he contracted leukaemia was filled with tap water, rather than sterile water.
He had previously received a successful bone marrow transplant.
“Sadly, he died before he could complain – he said they had used tap water all night,” wrote Harwood in her complaint.
Anne Burden, Ross’ adoptive mother said she did not want an inquiry, saying “It won’t bring him back,” and that she had received assurances from the hospital that the situation had been dealt with.
The health board of Auckland Hospital released a statement reading: “We regret that this patient contracted this infection while in our care and have extended an invitation to meet with them to discuss this.The board was reviewing the clinical care it provided but it would not be appropriate to comment further while the case was before the coroner.”
