A HOSPITAL trust claims it is winning the battle against so-called superbug infections.

This week, new research showed that the number of deaths caused by the superbug MRSA increased from eight per cent in 1993 to 44 per cent in 1998.

Only a year ago, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust was near the bottom of the NHS league table for blood poisonings caused by MRSA.

But work carried out by the infection control team and the public health laboratory service has halved the rate of MRSA blood poisonings.

The trust has taken measures at the hospitals it runs such as ensuring patients receive anti-bacterial washes and other treatments.

Hospital cleaning has also improved.

Figures for the past five months show half the rate for the whole of the previous year. Presently, the trust has about five cases of blood poisoning a month, which is half the previous rate.

Consultant microbiologist Dr John Hovenden, from the Public Health Laboratory Service, said: "The trust has made dramatic improvements by taking these steps, but no one is complacent about it.

"The infection control team continues to work closely with key staff in the trust and the community."