THE number of patients suffering from hospital-acquired infections has fallen dramatically, according to new figures.

East Lancashire Hospital’s NHS Trust recorded one case of MRSA in 2014-15 compared to eight in 2010-11. There were 32 cases of clostridium difficile in 2014-15, down from 65 in 2010-11.

The figures were released as part of the trust’s pledge to become ‘More Open and Honest’ where monthly data relating to hospital falls, pressure ulcers, infections and patient experience is made available to the public.

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Chief nurse Christine Pearson said: “Improving patient safety and delivering the highest quality care to patients is our top priority.

“We strongly believe that being open and transparent with patients and the public about how we are performing is the right thing to do to demonstrate that we are genuinely committed to continuous improvement.”

Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group chairman Russ McLean said : “I am over the moon that things are finally turning around.

“Patients, staff and visitors at the hospitals use hand gels and they are mindful of washing their hands. Any improvement is brilliant news.”

The More Open and Honest initiative is a national venture to improve care standards and transparency in the NHS. Each month the trust will publish its statistics, as well as details of patient and staff experiences, as part of a national scheme.

Mrs Pearson added: “By publishing this safety data, the trust is improving openness and transparency by reporting quality and safety indicators that matter to patients and the public.

“Our patients and their families and carers will be the judge of whether we are succeeding. But by sharing and learning from the impact care is having on our patients, we can see whether this is the case.”