The trust which runs Colchester's NHS hospitals has performed well in MRSA tables.

Essex Rivers has the ninth lowest rate nationally of patients with the MRSA superbug for general hospitals.

National Audit Office Figures show Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust has improved year on year over the past three financial years.

In 2001-02, there were 24 cases recorded. In 2002-03, that was down to 18 and from April 2003 to March 2004 there were 16 recorded cases.

An Essex Rivers spokesman said: "Continuing to successfully combat MRSA is the result of a lot of hard work and concentration by members of staff to maintain hygiene and cleanliness standards while treating patients year on year."

Published Thursday July 15, 2004

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