76270-32STAFF at Great Western Hospital have never been more committed to hygiene, insist bosses.

Yesterday was Think Clean Day and GWH joined 938 other hospitals up and down the country to hammer home that message to concerned patients.

It comes as fears continue to grow over the potentially deadly superbug MRSA.

Last year there were 19 cases of bacteraemias the most serious strain of the bug at GWH.

Despite that, the flagship hospital was ranked among the country's top 10 per cent for cleanliness following spot-checks in December.

Trevor Payne, the director for estates and facilities, said all 3,500 staff are working flat out to keep infections at bay.

"Hygiene is something that we take extremely seriously here at Great Western Hospital," he said.

Hospitals taking part in the awareness day were asked to audit a ward or department and find solutions to any cleanliness problems they found.

At GWH everyone from cleaners to consultants were involved.

Mr Payne added: "In response to public feedback we introduced matrons when the hospital opened in December 2002.

"There was a perception that nurses were too busy to monitor hygiene levels and it was being neglected.

"We have 12 matrons at GWH one for each ward and they are responsible for the maintenance of their ward.

"Although GWH has an excellent record when it comes to cleanliness we are not going to be complacent and rest on past success.

"We don't want to peak and then fade."

Christine Beasley, the chief nursing officer for the NHS, agreed.

She said: "Hospitals need to be kept clean all day, every day and we have already put in place national standards and monitoring procedures which will deliver real improvement.

"Think Clean Day is all about local NHS staff making a difference in their area.

"Everyone, no matter how junior or senior can play a part.

"I hope all staff will take the opportunity to think about how they work and whether there are any changes they could make that would improve the cleanliness of their hospital."

Think Clean Day was the latest initiative designed to improve standards of cleanliness in hospitals in the UK.

Other initiatives include the on-going Clean Your Hands campaign led by the National Patients' Safety Agency and the new cleaning contract published by the Secretary of State for Health, Dr John Reid.

Kevin Shoesmith