A mum who ended up in hospital after her five-star holiday is still suffering more than two months on.
Samantha Broadbent decided to jet off to a five-star resort in the Dominican Republic as a treat for her son Ben who was finishing primary school. Having booked through TUI, she said she was "really looking forward to it".
But before catching a plane back to Manchester, she began to feel unwell, experiencing stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. Upon her return to the UK, the 49-year-old started to get worse and was treated in hospital for a bacterial infection, shigella, TeesideLive reports.
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Since the trip to Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort, Samantha continues to experience symptoms as she said: "I booked the holiday so I could have some quality time with Ben after he finished school. We had both been really looking forward to it, but by the end of the trip I was really unwell."
She added: "Food was left uncovered and reheated, with new food added to existing. There were also crabs and cats seen around the buffet, as well as spiders and flies. It really didn’t seem hygienic to me."
She also claims she saw plasters and bugs floating in the pool, adding: "Which really isn’t something you expect from a five-star resort." She said: "I'm not someone who normally suffers with a delicate stomach, but it’s been awful since our holiday.
"I always have to make sure there’s a toilet around and there are some things I can’t eat now as they trigger it. To find out I had a bacterial infection was a huge shock and I deserve some answers. While I can’t change what I’ve been through, knowing how it happened might help stop others from suffering like I have."
The mum has since instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how she became infected with shigella.
Jatinder Paul, the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Samantha, said: "Samantha had been looking forward to treating Ben to a well-earned holiday after he finished primary school. Sadly, however, she fell ill at the end of the trip and ended up in hospital in the UK.
"Shigella is a bacterial infection most commonly contracted by consuming food or water that has become contaminated. It can have a significant impact on those affected.
"We’re now investigating how Samantha developed her illness and are determined to obtain the answers she deserves. If, during the course of our investigation, any issues are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to help prevent other holidaymakers falling ill in the future."
In response, a TUI spokesperson said: "We are sorry to hear about Ms Broadbent’s experience at the Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort In the Dominican Republic, however as this is now a legal matter it would be inappropriate to comment. We’d like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all of our hotels in respect to health and safety, including hygiene."
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