The Claremont Hospital has received an award for hygiene in Yours Magazine's Clean Hospital Campaign. The Sheffield hospital was nominated for the award by a patient when she read about the magazine's hygiene crusade, which it launched after worried readers inundated it with letters expressing concerns about cleanliness in hospitals and the so-called 'super bug' MRSA.

The award recognises the hard work of the hospital's motivated team of housekeeping staff and also reflects the rigorous infection control measures employed by the hospital, including routine screening of patients for MRSA prior to admission. As a result, the Claremont Hospital has not had any known cases of MRSA.

Sonia Page, the hospital's Matron, said, "Our patients are usually here for surgery and people undergoing surgical procedures are susceptible to infection so it is vital that we minimise the risk. We routinely screen patients who could be carrying MRSA unknowingly prior to hospital admission. Great emphasis is also placed on infection control measures, including hand hygiene, cleaning in the hospital, cleaning equipment and we have mandatory infection control training for all our staff."

Tony Barrett, Claremont Hospital Director, is delighted that the hospital has received this recognition. He said, "Hospital hygiene and hospital acquired infections are a great worry for patients. Here at the Claremont Hospital we work hard to maintain high levels of cleanliness at all times and are rigorous about preventing infection. It is great that our patients feel confident enough in our hospital to nominate us for this certificate of merit in this national magazine award scheme."

Full details of the Clean Hospital Campaign are in the January 2005 issue of Yours Magazine. Yours is Britain's best selling magazine for women over 50.