GREAT Western Hospital's strong reputation for preventing MRSA is under threat because it has nearly exceeded its annual target in six months.

A report by Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust reveals the hospital has had 11 cases of MRSA since April and will break the target of 12 if there is another one before next April.

At Friday's meeting chief executive Lyn Hill-Tout said: "Our current major risk is MRSA which at the time of writing is 11 against a year target of 12.

"I am sure the board will want to discuss what more can be done in this area."

As a result the hospital, which deals with 500,000 patients each year, has allocated cash to hire two infection control practice nurses for the next six months.

Nathan Hall, associate director of corporate and business development, said: "Because we have a good background in tackling MRSA we have set ourselves very stringent targets.

"At the moment we are at risk of breaking those targets for the period for the financial year, so we have decided to bring in two infection control nurses.

"The control of MRSA is one of our key target areas, a high priority."

In a report on clinical governance the risk of Clostridium difficile was also highlighted.

Cases of the superbug are also projected to be over target.

Ruth McCarthy, associate director of clinical quality, said in the report: "The two key risks identified were achieving the MRSA bacteraemia and Clostridium difficile targets.

"The Trust is currently above trajectory against both targets."

The money required to pay for the nurses will come from a budget predicted to generate a surplus of £835,000.

That figure is tiny compared to the £160m turnover at the hospital, which will be needed to pay for new equipment over the next few years.

Mr Hall said: "People will look at that surplus and ask why we are keeping it, and the answer is we need to reinvest it over the coming months.

"While the GWH is only five years old much of the equipment we use will need to be replaced.

"The series of reports considered on Friday included an update on the hospital's proposed transition to foundation status.

Seven public meetings took place across Wiltshire and almost 100 residents wrote with their views about the changes, which would see GWH operating with greater freedom within the NHS. Mr Hall said: "We went to towns like Trowbridge and Devizes and spoke to a wide demographic. They offered views on what the trust name could be, and a large number of people indicated they wanted the Great Western to be featured.

"We are committed to developing a public membership of 1,000 by the time we submit our proposals to the Government, to show the involvement the people have."