PATIENT groups have come up with a mixed bag of results from their latest Bug Watch at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

As part of the national campaign to beat the MRSA superbug, which is now killing about 5,000 people a year in the UK, volunteers from patient and public involvement (PPI) forums across the North West visited hospitals last week to put cleanliness under the microscope.

In this area, about 20 members of the forums for Ellesmere Port & Neston, Chester and the hospital itself visited the Countess, which has been awarded foundation status for its high standards.

Peter Shephard, a borough councillor and chairman of the borough's PPI forum, said: 'We had teams of two examining every ward at the hospital.

'We were specifically looking at cleanliness, rather than methods of treatment.

'That means we were interested in the way wards are cleaned, how dirty dressings and needles are disposed of and whether staff are washing their hands properly.'

He added: 'There has been some concern about the Countess as it had a very poor MRSA rating among acute hospitals.

'Our official results will be published soon but our impression is that we found quite a mixed bag.

'Things seem to be done differently on individual wards and some need to be looked at.

'Generally, the message that we need to get across is that personal cleanliness is a very big factor as far as MRSA is concerned.'

The Government has directed PPI forums to carry out the visits four times a year. Cllr Shephard said Ellesmere Port Hospital was due for inspection next month.

A spokesman for the Countess of Chester Hospital said: 'The trust has co-operated fully and openly with the PPI forum both in the initial hospital-wide pilot survey they carried out in August and last week's Bug Watch visit.

'Forum members thoroughly assessed main ward areas and A&E and also talked to staff. Their report to us showed general satisfaction and highlighted good practice.

'There were, however, three areas where forum members had concerns - these are now being addressed.'

The spokesman added: 'The forum's surveys have provided a further patient's perspective on the hospital.

'The Trust continues to work hard to bring down MRSA levels. In 2003/4, we reported 32 positive cases - a reduction from 39 positive cases in the previous year.'