Catching scabies in hospital meant my husband was labelled an environmental hazard when he died

As her husband of more than 40 years lay dying in a hospital bed, Kate Baxter was not even allowed to hold his hand without wearing protective gloves.

Paul suffered a stroke in December 2025 and, four months before he died in June aged 90, caught scabies in hospital.

In his final days, Kate could only touch him while wearing the rubber gloves after he contracted the highly contagious skin infestation , external at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen.

Hywel Dda health board said it was taking extra measures to control the spread of scabies and was focused on keeping hospitals and healthcare settings as clean as possible.

"He was suffering. He said to me, 'my back itches' and when I rubbed his back, his skin was coming off like sand," she said.

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