HOSPITAL infection rates at Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals have dropped dramatically, new figures have revealed.

Cases of the superbug MRSA are said to have halved during a three-month period at the start of this year, according to a report by the Health Protection Agency.

It says that from January to March there was a drop of more than 50 percent of reported cases of the killer bug at both of North Bristol NHS Trust’s hospitals from 27 to 13.

Corinne Thomas, the trust’s director of nursing, said: "This is very rewarding.

"We have worked hard in all areas to reduce hospital-acquired infections and, after months of hard work, it is very encouraging to see our hospital-acquired infection rates improve, although we still have work to do."

The trust has also seen a reduction in the number of cases of C difficile infections acquired in its hospitals. From this January to March there were 186 cases compared to 221 in the previous quarter and between April and June there has been a 73 percent drop from 260 patients contracting the infection during the same period last to 70 this year.

Added Ms Thomas : "The reduction in cases of C difficile and MRSA bacteraemia is seen in all specialties.

"We are particularly proud that we have not had a single MRSA bacteraemia in our elective orthopaedic surgery wards at Southmead for nearly a year."

She said a clean hands initiative had helped reduce to rates of infection and that Background information a dedicated Infection Control Team is constantly looking at additional measures to prevent and minimise the spread of disease.