GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S hospitals are cutting back on Christmas decorations to make sure thorough cleaning can be maintained.
The move has been made to help stop the spread of bugs like MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
"We recognise our patients will want to celebrate Christmas in the wards. They will still be able to do this, but we need to be sensible," a statement said.
"As with every other year there will be a Christmas tree up in every ward.
"But in line with our work to keep our patients safe and our wards infection-free, we are ensuring that there will be no obstacles to get in the way of the cleaning process in clinical areas.
"Non-clinical areas such as the paediatrics in-patients will have more decorations but it is essential to ensure areas such as cubicles are kept as clean as possible."
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