A MAJOR crackdown on superbugs at Ipswich Hospital failed to stop it missing targets for MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C-diff), figures show today.Despite massive investment, a reduction in visiting hours and extra cleaning, the hospital has reported more cases of the infections than in July.

A MAJOR crackdown on superbugs at Ipswich Hospital failed to stop it missing targets for MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C-diff), figures show today.

Despite massive investment, a reduction in visiting hours and extra cleaning, the hospital has reported more cases of the infections than in July.

It is now expecting a visit from Department of Health experts as it failed to meet strict targets set by the government.

In August the hospital had 38 C-diff cases against a trajectory of 26. In July there were 33 against a trajectory of 33. Since April there have been 185 cases against a trajectory of 142.

Last month the hospital also had three MRSA cases against a trajectory of two. In July there were two against a trajectory of two.

One of the three August MRSA cases is thought to be from a patient who was infected in another hospital but later brought into Ipswich.

Because the hospital performed well earlier in the year, there have been ten cases since April - in line with the trajectory.

Gwen Collins, director of infection prevention and control, said action is ongoing to crackdown on C-diff.

The hospital is midway through a deep cleaning project on 17 wards and is also bidding to the region's health chiefs for more cash.

She added: “In addition the trust will be launching a reviewed antibiotic policy and have already introduced monthly antibiotic prescribing audits.” Antibiotics can both help and fuel the infection.

The Evening Star revealed earlier this month how the hospital could be in for a £600,000 windfall to crackdown on infections.

The region's health chiefs are offering the cash to hospitals which can prove they can bring infection rates down.

Ipswich Hospital has already made a bid for £300,000, and has the opportunity to double its money at a later date.

The first £300,000, if finalised, will be used to create an isolation ward and decontamination area, step up cleaning and provide extra staffing levels on busy wards at night.

In June, the hospital cut visiting times to two hours a day in an attempt to reduce the number of infections plaguing its wards.

N Is enough being done at Ipswich Hospital to crackdown on infections? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk