Hospitals trust stays MRSA free

MRSA has not been found in either hospital since 2007

A NHS trust which runs two hospitals in Merseyside and Lancashire has been MRSA free since last year, figures show.

Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust was one of seven non-specialist trusts in England to record no cases between December 2007 and March 2008.

It is the fourth consecutive quarter in which the number of cases has fallen, and trust bosses say the trend has continued since April.

The trust hailed the latest figures as "fantastic news".

Hard work

Geraldine Boocock, director of infection control, said the figures were testament to the excellent work of its staff.

"The enhanced screening and additional isolation facilities have helped us maintain our position in the fight against hospital acquired infections.

"It is now 253 days since the last hospital acquired case of MRSA and this is down to the hard work of all staff and the co-operation of our visitors in washing their hands when they enter and leave the wards."

The trust runs Ormskirk and District General Hospital and Southport and Formby District General Hospital.