Superbug levels falling across Lothian

Published on Wednesday 14 January 2009 09:19

LEVELS of superbugs in Lothian's hospitals are continuing to fall, latest official figures have revealed.

The Scottish Government announced today that both MRSA and C.diff were tumbling, not only locally but across the country.

In the most recent quarter there were only 181 cases of C.diff in hospitals in the Lothians, the lowest for more than two years.

And MRSA has fallen to its lowest since monitoring began in 2003.

The news is likely to delight NHS Lothian chiefs, who have come in for stiff criticism in the past, particularly relating to levels of C.diff.

But it seems increased surveillance and hygiene initiatives in some of the area's hospitals are beginning to pay off, the report from Health Protection Scotland reveals suggests.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Tackling healthcare associated infections is one of this government's top priorities. I believe today's reports give real cause for optimism."