Heather Wallace's 79-year-old uncle, Bill Lyness, was admitted to the Mater in August after he collapsed in his Rathcoole flat.

He was treated for diverticulitis - a digestive disease found in the large intestine - and remained there for nine weeks before being moved to Whiteabbey Hospital after complaints.

Three weeks later Mr Lyness died. His death certificate states that he died from acute renal failure, septicaemia and MRSA.

Ms Wallace told the Belfast Telegraph she believed that her uncle should still be alive today and voiced concern at cleanliness when he was being treated.

She also claimed that on several occasions she had to wipe her uncle's bed rails which had been covered in his dirt and had to clean a special chair which had been left soiled for four days.

When the claims were put to the Belfast Trust, which is responsible for the Mater, a spokeswoman would not confirm or deny the claims, saying it had not received a "formal complaint" in relation to Mr Lyness.

" When a formal complaint is received we carry out a robust investigation. We would encourage anyone who has concerns to contact the complaints office directly. Every case is treated with the utmost seriousness and will be investigated fully," she said.

However, Ms Wallace said she did complain about his care and cleanliness until his transfer to Whiteabbey Hospital.

Ms Wallace said she could not speak highly enough of Whiteabbey and wished he had been moved sooner.