Mixed MRSA results for hospitals

The tables showed mixed results for hospitals in Kent

Tables revealing the extent of MRSA infection rates in Sussex and Surrey have shown mixed results for the area.

The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, reduced its MRSA rate from five to three despite treating more patients from Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

But the rate at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust rose from 74 in April 2001 to March 2003 up to 107 for the same period a year on.

In both time periods the specialist trust treated 500,000 patients.

Figures 'difficult to compare'

The East Sussex trust first reduced and then increased its infection rate over a three year period, from 67 down to 52 but back up this year to 60 cases.

The Surrey and Sussex trust recorded a steady increase each year from 28 to 43 to 48.

Other trusts, including Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust and Frimley Park, reduced their MRSA infection rates.

Representatives from the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust and Queen Victoria Hospital Trust said the figures should be treated just as a guide.

They told BBC South East Today the facts are hard to interpret and compare as all hospitals treat different types of patients.