MRSA rates at Ipswich Hospital appear to be on the decline, according to new figures released today.The hospital saw eight cases of MRSA blood-stream infections diagnosed between April and the end of June.

MRSA rates at Ipswich Hospital appear to be on the decline, according to new figures released today.

The hospital saw eight cases of MRSA blood-stream infections diagnosed between April and the end of June.

This means it is on track to meet targets set by the Government which state that there must be no more than 42 cases recorded between April this year and the end of March next year.

If the hospital remains on target this will be a significant reduction from last year when there were 51 cases recorded.

There were 52 cases the year before that.

Jan Rowsell, hospital spokeswoman, said: "Reducing the number of hospital acquired infections, including MRSA, is a key priority for us and we welcome these latest figures which show we are managing to bring the levels down.

"We do recognise that there is still some way to go and we will continue to do everything we can."

In the last six months a raft of new measures have been introduced at the hospital to help combat all hospital acquired infections, including MRSA.

Alcoholic hand gel has been placed by all beds and the entrances to wards, large signs have been placed around the hospital reminding people to wash their hands, and a review of all infection control procedures has taken place.

The hospital hit the headlines in March after it was revealed that two-day old Luke Day had died after contracting MRSA in the hospital's maternity unit.

For the last two months a panel of health experts have been carrying out a detailed investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding his death.

Their report is expected to be finished by next week and the findings will be published on the hospital's website.

Weblink: www.ipswichhospital.org.uk