Superbug risk is lowest in the capital

Patients in London are less likely to catch the deadly superbug clostridium difficile than anywhere else in the country, figures reveal today.

The Health Protection Agency figures also reveal cases of superbug MRSA have also dropped in the capital.

Colin Ovington, NHS London's infection control boss, said MRSA rates dropped 35 per cent in the first three months of this year compared with the same period last year - their lowest since 2003. The rate of patients with C.Diff is now 9.1 cases per 10,000 people - the lowest in the country.

Mr Ovington said: "The figures are bloody marvellous. Patients can have more confidence that hospitals are getting safer." But he also called for visiting hours to be restricted and to reduce "clutter like flowers and chocolates". "Anyone can get into a hospital to visit and they don't know what germs they are carrying," he said.