Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust has had hundreds of new mattresses delivered to reduce serious infections.

The trust has ordered 580 new mattresses at a cost of £100,000.

While all mattresses are cleaned between patients, over time the covers can become damaged which can increase infection risk. Denise Chaffer, director of nursing, said infection control was a priority.

“In July this year we have had two cases of hospital acquired C difficile compared with 17 in the same month last year and we have had just one case of a hospital acquired MRSA bloodstream infection since April this year.

“We are therefore on target to reduce C diff infections at the hospital by a further 10 per cent this year and to further reduce our MRSA bloodstream infections.”