The number of people catching MRSA in Bradford's hospitals is falling, even though latest figures show the Trust is failing to meet tough Government targets.

It was revealed in the Telegraph & Argus yesterday that Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, which manages Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospitals, has breached a nationally-set target for the number of patients diagnosed with the MRSA superbug.

The target is to have fewer than 36 cases for the year ending March 31.

Figures put before a board of governors meeting this week revealed there had already been 49 cases by the end of November last year.

However, Dr Philip Stanley, director of infection prevention and control at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Combating all healthcare- acquired infections remains one of our top priorities.

"Thanks to the hard work of staff the number of MRSA cases continues to fall steadily across our hospitals."

In the first quarter of 2005 (January, February and March) there were 24 cases of MRSA - an average of eight cases a month for the quarter.

In the last quarter of last year (October, November and December) there were 13 cases, an average of four cases per month.

A spokesman for the Trust said: "So the last quarter figures halved from the start of the year.

"The most recent month, December, witnessed just a single case of MRSA, the lowest monthly figure since 2003."

The Trust must reduce figures by 60 per cent over the next three years and must average no more than three cases a month to meet national targets.

The achieve this the Trust has implemented an infection control policy which includes more use of single rooms to isolate patients diagnosed with MRSA and a high profile "wash your hands" campaign.

"The reduction is also down to the greater awareness and understanding of the Brad-ford community about MRSA and the role they can play in helping to reduce infection," said a spokesman for the Trust.

"These figures underline the progress we are making and we are determined to build on this further as we enter 2006."