Cases of the killer MRSA superbug at Oxfordshire's main hospitals have fallen by more than a quarter in the last year, according to new Government figures.

Figures published yesterday reveal there were 94 cases of MRSA at Oxford's Radcliffe Hospital Trust between April 2004 and March 2005, compared to 127 incidents the previous year. An estimated 700,000 patients were seen during the period.

The decrease makes the trust one of the top 10 improvers nationally for reductions in MRSA rates.

Chief nurse and director of infection prevention and control, Julie Hartley-Jones, welcomed the news.

She said: "This is a credit to all our staff, including our infection control team who work extremely hard to tackle a wide range of hospital infections. I hope it offers reassurance to our patients and their families.

"This doesn't mean we can afford to become complacent. Our hospitals are some of the busiest in the country, with many thousands of patients each year passing through our wards, and fighting infection will remain a top priority."

However, the figures also show infection rates within the trust -- which comprises John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Radcliffe Infirmary, and the Horton, Banbury -- continue to be among the highest in the country.

The trust suffered 0.212 MRSA incidents per 1,000 bed-days making it the 34th worst performer out of 171.

Leanne Collins, the trust's senior infection controller, said it was unfair to compare the Radcliffe Hospital Trust with others because it catered for the sickest patients who were more susceptible to infections.

She said: "It does not surprise us that you see more infections in our patients. It is not a reflection on us but on the kind of patients we see.

"You can't compare us with places which don't delve deep into body cavities or put bits of metal in the body."

MRSA victim Steve Pearce, pictured, who said the superbug he contracted in August 2000 wrecked his life, said: "Any news that the number of people contracting this dreadful infection has gone down is good, but I am sceptical of these statistics."

The 45-year-old retired fireman added: "I think the Government is trying to cover things up because of all the bad publicity."

Tony Field, of national MRSA pressure group, MRSA Support, believes the Government could do more.

He said: "I would like to see all medical staff entering vulnerable sites wearing a face mask, and staff should be screened daily."

Three district councils said they were optimistic hospital bosses would today agree to public consultation into plans to close 37 hospital beds across south and west Oxfordshire.

South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils have been threatening South East and South West Oxfordshire PCTs with legal action if they press ahead with temporary closures without consultation.

Yesterday the councils said the PCTs had told them they would recommend the decision was withdrawn pending consultation.