MRSA rates revealed

The full scale of the superbug crisis facing London's hospitals can be revealed today.

Figures show that about 30 people a week contracted MRSA in London over a period of 18 months. At one major hospital, about three patients a week were falling ill with the bug.

The news comes after it was revealed that four children diagnosed with MRSA have died at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Baby Luke Day became the youngest victim of the bacterium when he died at just 36 hours old in an Ipswich hospital .

The figures show that across the capital, 2,311 people contracted MRSA between April 2003 and September 2004. However the number of cases in London hospitals has fallen 20 per cent.

The statistics were obtained in an answer to a Parliamentary Question by Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for London, Sarah Teather.

She said that, despite the downward trend, "the number of cases in London remains a scandal".

"Ministers would be wise not to see this as the turning of the tide. The figures are the tip of the iceberg. There are many other bugs which cause infections in our hospitals for which information is not collected," she said.

She blamed government targets for spreading the infection, claiming pressure to treat and discharge patients as quickly as possible meant staff did not have time to maintain high hygiene standards which would control it.

But Health Secretary John Reid welcomed what he called a "turnaround" over the infection's spread. "This is thanks to the hard work of NHS staff," he said. "I am pleased policies we have introduced, including alcohol rubs, the matron's charter and mandatory reporting, are having an effect. These figures are encouraging but there's still a long way to go."

The statistics show that:

Patients' Association chairman Michael Summers said that while the reported drop in cases was welcome, the figures did not show the full picture. He said that statistics covering the most recent winter needed to be seen. "It is a time when hospitals are busier and bed occupancy is higher, leading to more infections," he said.

"The figures do not reflect those discharged and readmitted with it as they are not regarded as having acquired it in hospital." Mr Summers said the issue would be highlighted at a summit hosted by the association on Thursday and Friday.

MRSA - methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus - cannot be treated with penicillin-based antibiotics and normally requires high doses of powerful drugs.