DOCTORS are to receive a larger financial incentive in the fight against infections like Clostridium difficile (C diff).

Last year, North East Essex Primary Care Trust (PCT) launched a scheme to cut down on the prescribing of two antibiotics - cefalo-sporins and quinolones.

This was in a bid to cut the number of C diff infections, and GPs received 10p for each patient they had as a reward for meeting their targets.

This year, the target is tougher - to reduce the prescribing of all antibiotics by 20 per cent - but the incentive has risen to £1 for every patient.

Director of public health Dr Mike Gogarty said: "In the community, the prescribing of antibiotics is a major cause of C diff infections.

"We will have to reduce the total use of antibiotics by 20 per cent to bring us in line with the national average.

"Previously, prescribing of antibiotics locally has been quite high."

The scheme will go before the PCT's board tomorrow for agreement.