THREE outbreaks of superbug MRSA were reported in a single ward at the Royal Bolton in a four month period.

Hospital bosses said three patients in ward D3 were infected by meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus – known as MRSA – between January and April.

The bacterial infection is resistant to a number of widely-used antibiotics and can cause life-threatening infections if the bacteria gets into a break in the skin.

Chiefs at NHS Bolton Foundation Trust said they were disappointed by the MRSA cases and admitted there had been some “lapses in care”.

Bev Tabernacle, acting director of nursing, said: "We have a number of measures in place and infection control process has been followed.”

Ms Tabernacle told a meeting of the trust's board that the outbreaks were mainly due to environmental issues but also blamed lapses in care – such as timely screening for the bug.

She added: “On looking into the case in some detail, there are some lapses in care.

“Just in a transparency and openness respect we need to acknowledge that the lapses could have contributed.”

Only one of the three cases of MRSA was apportioned to the trust. The other two, which relate to one patient, were apportioned to Bolton NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Ms Tabernacle added: “The patient’s original MRSA was attributed to the CCG as he came in colonised with MRSA on admission.

“He has been with us for some time and he has a treatment plan in place and has received antibiotics.”

Any MRSA cases which are picked up in patients within their first 48 hours in hospital – meaning the patient already had the infection in their system, and it cannot be attributed to the trust – are automatically apportioned to the CCG.

Dr Barry Silvert, clinical director for commissioning at NHS Bolton CCG, said: “Preventing infections like MRSA is a priority for NHS Bolton CCG, working in collaboration with partners. We are currently in discussion with Bolton NHS Foundation Trust regarding recent cases of MRSA.

“Although patients may be diagnosed with an MRSA infection in hospital, it is important to note that some may be carrying the bacteria when they are admitted and so have not acquired their infection in hospital.”

Richard Catlin, assistant director of infection prevention and control at the trust, said: “We have made huge progress in infection prevention and control over recent years – having gone over a year without a single case of MRSA until January 2015 – so it is disappointing to have any cases of MRSA.

“One recent patient already had an MRSA infection before they came to the Royal Bolton Hospital and in line with national guidelines was counted again as a second MRSA case from samples collected as part of their treatment.

“We have already taken action to reinforce our infection prevention and control processes including refresher training, awareness raising, increased support for ward staff.”