Reducing the number of cases of the superbug MRSA at Bradford Royal Infirmary is a number one priority.

Miles Scott, chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs BRI and St Luke's Hospital, admitted that it had failed to meet the reduction targets set by the Government.

He told a meeting of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum at St Luke's today: "MRSA is a major issue. I'm sure you are wondering what we are doing about it. Our performance is not where we would want it to be but this is our number one issue."

Penny Silson, general manager of acute services, said a comprehensive review of services was being undertaken addressing key issues identified by staff and patients such as the elimination of "ritualistic practices".

Mr Scott reiterated that the trust had the third lowest mortality rate in the country and he highlighted the fact that the hospital has appointed additional consultants in various fields including elderly care, accident and emergency and oncology.

Mrs Silson revealed that the review of services included the discharge of patients after treatment. She said: "We are looking at improving discharges in terms of planning. Communication on hand over is vital."

Forum member Peter Sayle replied: "In terms of the discharge of the elderly there was an incident which was all over the national papers where a woman was discharged and an ambulance crew stood and watched her struggle up the stone steps to her home when she was obviously unfit to do so."

Mrs Stilson assured the meeting that a dedicated team was in place to assess the situation in regard to patients.