PEOPLE go into hospitals with the aim of improving their health - but a significant number of people in recent years have been left worse not better by the experience.

The reason is the so-called superbug MRSA which can be fatal and has hit British hospitals on an alarming scale compared with a number of neighbouring European countries.

A number of reasons have been put forward to explain why this scourge has caused so many problems on our wards including cutbacks in cleaning and the disappearance of the old-fashioned matron who policed standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

Publicity campaigns have urged staff to "Think Clean" although many might find it strange that hospital staff should have to be reminded to wash their hands.

Now we hear that East Lancashire Hospitals have been ranked in the bottom third of authorities for their performance in reducing the incidence of MRSA.

While national figures are at their lowest since 2001 ours are the same as they were in 2003.

We are told this is because the beneficial effect of measures taken will not show up until the next set of figures is produced.

Let's hope so.

There must be no let up in the battle against MRSA until it is all but wiped out.