MRSA infection rates at the NHS Trust which runs Lister Hospital continue to fall – but not enough to reach Government targets. Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows that there were 33 cases of MRSA from April 2005 until February 2006 at the

MRSA infection rates at the NHS Trust which runs Lister Hospital continue to fall - but not enough to reach Government targets.

Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows that there were 33 cases of MRSA from April 2005 until February 2006 at the Lister and QEII.

The target was 39 cases from April 2005 until April 2006 but Trust bosses believe March figures would have pushed the amount above target.

The Trust's director of nursing, Noel Scanlon, said: "While the Trust continues to make significant inroads into the challenge posed to patients' health by the likes of MRSA, the latest data to the end of February 2006 suggests that the Trust may just miss its year-end MRSA target.

Whatever the outcome, however, the Trust will be seeing its third year on year drop in MRSA infection rates, which is a real tribute to the hard work of our staff."

Peter Gibson, Trust spokesman, said: "We are still going in the right direction although it looks like we might miss our target but we are still making good progress."

MRSA Infection rates:

Year 2001/2 - 72

Year 2002/3 - 86

Year 2003/4 - 56

Year 2004/5 - 50

Year 2005/6 (not including March figures) 33