THE number of MRSA cases at Weston General Hospital has fallen by one third, according to an independent body.

THE number of MRSA cases at Weston General Hospital has fallen by one third, according to an independent body.

Health Protection Agency statistics show that Weston Area Health Trust, which runs the hospital, had four cases of the superbug MRSA and 41 cases of C-difficile from July to September 2007.

Both illnesses can be contracted in hospitals.

These figures represent a 33 per cent drop in MRSA infections and a 30 per cent reduction in C-diff cases.

Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Mike Bell said: "The fall in infections is good news for patients and their families.

"All credit must go to the staff who I know work extremely hard, often in difficult circumstances, to keep patients clear of MRSA and C-diff in particular.

"However, any infection picked up while in hospital is one too many. The aim must be for an infection free NHS across the country, so there is no room for complacency. I regularly receive reports from patients and their families about poor hygiene standards in our NHS and it is clear there is more work to be done.