IPSWICH Hospital staff have been praised by the Prime Minister today for slashing the cases of superbug MRSA.Gordon Brown said he was thrilled with the NHS's success in tackling the infection and hitting the target of halving the number of cases since 2004.

IPSWICH Hospital staff have been praised by the Prime Minister today for slashing the cases of superbug MRSA.

Gordon Brown said he was thrilled with the NHS's success in tackling the infection and hitting the target of halving the number of cases since 2004.

At Ipswich Hospital just three cases of the bug were recorded in the first quarter of 2008/09, down from 17 between April and June the year before.

Jan Rowsell, hospital spokeswoman, said: “There's been a 60per cent reduction since 2004.

“We have exceeded our target and we are really pleased.

“Tackling infections is still a priority for us but it is fantastic to get the letter.

“It is a huge achievement. The staff have worked really hard - it is all down to them.”

The praise is good news for the hospital which was handed a notice to improve earlier this year by the Healthcare Commission after breaking the hygiene code.

The fall in MRSA infections nationally follows a drive to deep clean all hospitals.

In a letter to all NHS staff Mr Brown wrote: "This tremendous achievement is down to you, the staff of the NHS, and I wanted to write to thank you on behalf of everyone who relies on the NHS for your efforts over the course of the last year.”

Does more need to be done to tackle superbugs at Ipswich Hospital? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.