HOSPITAL infection rates have been slashed in Huddersfield, but health bosses vow to continue the bug blitz.

Year-end figures released by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust show there were only 14 cases of MRSA between April 2008 and 2009, compared with 31 the year before.

Levels of Clostridium Difficile also dropped to 164 compared with 199 in 2007-08.

The figures cover all the infections at both Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital.

Director of infection prevention and control David Birkenhead has praised staff, patients and visitors for their hard work. But said every infection was still one too many.

He said: “We have always said infection control is everyone’s business and by involving everyone we have managed to see our figures hugely reduced.

“The achievement so far has required commitment and dedication by staff in all areas of the hospitals.

“By using the hand gels before entering and leaving the wards and washing their hands after using the toilet the public have also made a contribution to today’s figures and we thank them for it.”

But he believed there was still a long way to go.

He said: “This is very much ongoing work at this Trust and it is important to emphasise this.

“With the support of staff, visitors and patients, we shall be looking to improve further.”

In recent years, the Trust has been on a dedicated mission to drive down infection rates in line with Government targets.

Measures have been put in place across both hospital sites to raise awareness and encourage good hygiene using alcohol hand wash dispensers at all bedsides.

Cardboard matrons have also been strategically placed to remind visitors about the importance of hand hygiene, as well as traffic light signs directing them to use the hand gel.

There has also been an increase in the number of patients screened for MRSA and C-diff before they are admitted to hospital.

Rapid responder cleaning teams have also been working across both hospitals to blitz grime and specially-trained infection control nurses have been spearheading the drive in all areas.

Staff have also been given additional training and asked to make sure they are naked below the elbow as part of a strict uniform code.

The figures coincide with a national trend which has seen the number of hospital-acquired infections drastically reduce across the country.