THE fight against infection saw staff at Leighton Hospital in Crewe scrub up a treat on Monday as they took part in the NHS Think Clean Day.

Hygiene has become a big issue for health authorities as the spread of so-called 'superbugs' like MRSA continues to be linked to falling standards on dirty wards.

But Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust chiefs were happy to show off the progress they have made in the past year as acute medicine wards tested the speed and efficiency of their cleaning procedures.

Leighton Hospital's Medical Admissions Unit, Orthopaedic Wards and A&E department were set a series of problems to solve as quickly yet effectively as possible.

They recorded their achievements throughout, and the statistics will be used to further promote good practice throughout the hospital.

Chief executive Simon Yates said: 'The aim was to raise the profile of cleaning and demonstrate what can be achieved in a short time.

'We wanted to demonstrate how we could bring together nurses and facilities managers to act swiftly to improve the patient's journey by improving the ward environment there and then.'

Leighton Hospital has invested heavily in improving cleaning practice over the past 12 months, starting with the cancellation of all contracts to outside cleaning firms and a major recruitment drive to employ its own housekeepers.

Tighter control over procedures was followed by a range of new equipment introduced to the hospital.

Staff now carry pots of antiseptic alcohol rub to clean their hands with, sinks have special elbow-operated taps to minimise the spread of germs from hand contact, and the hospital is one of the first in the country to use the latest high-tech cleaning equipment supplied by Finnish firm Vileda.

The Trust has also put a lot of time and money into a continuous education programme for staff which aims to drive home the importance of impeccable hygiene standards in maintaining and improving infection control.