REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith last week visited the Alexandra Hospital to see the measures being taken to fight infection.

She met with Michael O'Riordan, chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Dr Chris Catchpole, the trust's director of infection prevention and control, and Heather Gentry, infection control nurse.

The trust had good news recently when its orthopaedic wards were found to have one of the lowest MRSA infection rates in the country.

Ms Smith was looking at how the hospital had secured this success.

She saw how swabs were used to test new admissions, alcohol rubs were used by staff as they move between patients and how staff and patients are being told about action they can take to reduce the risk of transferring diseases.

Ms Smith said: "Staff at the hospital are trying very hard to control infections but every visitor, worker and patient needs to be aware of the simple actions they can take to help.

"Using the alcohol rubs when you enter the ward is crucial, as is washing your hands after visiting the toilet.

"When it comes to fighting MRSA we must be understanding when our GPs are cautious about subscribing us antibiotics for minor ailments.

"The fact is these bugs have become life threatening because they have developed resistance to antibiotics over time."