Hospital infection rate declines

Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital improved its quality of service

The number of healthcare-associated infections at Oxfordshire hospitals has declined, according to a report by the Healthcare Commission.

However, the commission said checks at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust found it breached three out of the 15 points in the government hygiene code.

The trust was told to continue to improve training and make arrangements for decontaminating equipment.

Commission chief executive Anna Walker said standards were improving.

"It is clear that the NHS is paying close attention to infection prevention and control," she said.

"Now the challenge for trusts is to ensure they drive further sustained improvements by getting the right systems in place all of the time."