THE Department of Health said today there are now over 5,000 `modern matrons' working in the NHS to fight hospital infections - 844 of them in our region which is the largest total outside London.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Additional matrons have been recruited and given greater powers… to order additional cleaning and to ensure that the highest standards are met."

He claimed superbugs MRSA and C-difficile infection rates are falling adding: "Our battle is already producing improved results, with infection rates falling, and we are on track to half the rate of MRSA."