A surgeon has admitted the John Radcliffe Hospital cannot always protect its patients from potentially lethal super-bugs, transmitted on the hands of hospital staff.

Nicholas Maynard, a consultant upper gastro intestinal surgeon, was speaking at the inquest into the death of a patient who underwent surgery but later died from a super-bug infection, resistant to some antibiotics.

He said hospital staff were told about hygiene rules, but suspected some did not comply.

John Sowerbutts, had surgery to remove a tumour from his oesophagus. He died on April 1 last year, after contracting MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, following surgery by Mr Maynard on March 14 at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner warned someone could be responsible for Mr Sowerbutts' death.

Doctors and nurses are told to wash their hands and use a germ-killing gel handrub before treating patients, as part of the JR's strict cleanliness policy, yesterday's inquest heard.

Mr Maynard said: "We know Mr Sowerbutts didn't have the infection when he come to hospital because he was tested for it. The assumption is he acquired it during his stay at hospital. The majority of infections are transferred by healthcare workers."

Mr Sowerbutts, 80, of Canada Lane, Faringdon, underwent reconstructive surgery joining his oesophagus to his stomach, following removal of the tumour. However, he contracted an infection, which tests revealed was MRSA.

Dr Ian Roberts, consultant pathologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said the cause of death was a severe infection. Mr Sowerbutts was suffering from broncho-pneumonia and puss within his chest cavity.

Mr Gardiner recorded a verdict that Mr Sowerbutts died of natural causes.