CARE home owners have defended their health and hygiene records amid revelations that MRSA claims the life of at least one resident every week.

Statistics reveal that in 2001 and 2002, the two most recent years for which there are records, 53 patients died each year in care homes from MRSA.

And it has also been revealed that one in three of Britain's care homes are failing hygiene tests.

But Annie Sinnott, care home owner and chair of Dorset Care Association, said MRSA was not a particular problem for the industry in Dorset.

"I've never lost a resident to MRSA and most other home owners would be able to say the same," she said.

"People are meant to have three clear swabs before they leave hospital. If we do get anybody with MRSA it is on the understanding that we will treat them accordingly.

"Our guidance is that apart from good hygiene and hand-washing we don't need to do much else. And good hygiene remains absolutely vital for home owners - it's top priority."

MRSA is dangerous to those weakened by prolonged illness and can cause serious infection of the blood or pneumonia. Treatment is difficult as some strains have become resistant to antibiotics.

But despite rising rates nationally, the situation appears to be under control in Dorset. Both the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust and Poole Hospital NHS Trust have lower rates of MRSA infection in the last 12 months than most other trusts.

In a bid to reduce the problem further, the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust recently launched a new campaign to boost awareness of the importance of having clean hands.

First published: February 15