A Bradford company is at the forefront of moves to combat thousands of hospital deaths each year caused by virulent infections such as the MRSA superbug.

Plastic moulding specialists Brimaid Ltd, based in Valley Road, has come up with a simple but innovative solution to improve hygiene on hospital wards and cut the 5,000 deaths caused each year by MRSA.

Earlier this week the Telegraph & Argus revealed that MRSA outbreaks in Bradford had doubled last year, contradicting a downward national trend.

Brimaid has spent two years developing a bedside cabinet, the BioKab, which is moulded from high-grade polyethylene impregnated with a continually active anti-microbial bactericide called Irgaguard.

As well as destroying most germs with which it comes into contact, the furniture features a soft, rounded design which is easy to clean and eliminates the nooks and crannies where germs normally gather.

Brimaid director Trevor Iles revealed that the BioKab's design had been inspired by a hospital ward sister's firm conviction that traditional bedside cabinets were a breeding ground for infectious germs.

"Traditional cabinets are square and the sister was particularly concerned about the inability to fully clean and disinfect internal corners and joints between the tops and sides of the cabinets," said Mr Iles.

"The final design of the BioKab is significantly different from her original concept and we have added the anti-microbial agent but she is delighted with the end result and looking forward to seeing it put into use."

The BioKab will be aimed at both hospitals and nursing homes.

Brimaid's chairman Keith James added: "Infection control is a major concern for hospitals. People are dying, wards are having to be closed or isolated every week and it is costing the NHS £1 billion annually.

"Germs are spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching other uninfected areas. With the BioKab's unique impregnated surface this cross contamination is eliminated and the germs will not survive."

The firm said it had also tried to ensure that the furniture was patient friendly with a modern functional design, plenty of storage space and was easy-to-move.

The firm said the next stage would be to get feedback from nurses, patients and cleaning staff and is offering a local hospital the chance of a trial.

However, another Bradford company, Acordis, which developed a ground-breaking uniform fabric resistant to MRSA, has so far failed to interest the NHS in trying out Amicor Pure despite months of negotiations.