CONTROLLING dangerous infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile is a top priority for NHS workers.

Feb 2 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Much time and effort has been spent on trying to eradicate superbugs since health secretary John Reid promised in 2004 that the Government would halve rates of MRSA by the end of March 2008.

So it is particularly disappointing that the number of MRSA cases has risen at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.

The figures may only be small, but are nevertheless going in the wrong direction and against the national trend.

It’s hardly surprising that quite a few people in this country fear that if they ever have to go into hospital – possibly for something quite minor – they might never come out again because they could catch something unpleasant.

All hospitals are going through a thorough deep-clean to rid them of bugs.

But this move begs the question: If they are so badly in need of a massive clean, how were they allowed to get so dirty in the first place?

There are all sorts of theories about why the bugs have been allowed to take hold – a predominant one being that it is the inevitable result of cuts in cleaning budgets.

If this is indeed true, then it was a false economy.

But irrespective of where the blame lies, the battle is on to curb the bugs.

Everyone has a part to play, visitors as well as hospital staff.

We all must observe hospital hygiene regulations as closely as possible.

Using antibacterial hand gel before entering a ward should become compulsory.