THE first of many inspections on the cleanliness of the Royal Bolton Hospital was carried out this week.

As part of the national Think Clean Day, the hospital's infection control team began their first internal cleanliness audit on ward A4.

The audit for staff and contract cleaners has been introduced to combat hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA. Research has shown that hand washing can reduce infection up to 50 per cent.

Staff were asked to clear out anything they did not use and the team assessed each patient's bed and surroundings. They are also being reminded that they should not be wearing their uniform to travel to and from work.

Elaine Flynn, senior nurse in infection control, said: "We are going to each ward, scoring them on cleanliness. We are looking for dust on things like curtain rails, floors, bedside tables and floors, and then the ward will be set a cleanliness plan to follow.

"We are discouraging visitors from sitting on beds and the matrons on the wards are keeping an eye on staff wearing uniforms outside the hospital."

The audit inspections will take place twice a year and are gradually be rolled out across the hospital following the audit of ward A4.

For the last few months, staff and visitors have been asked to use alcohol rub when entering the ward to kill any potential bacteria.

Staff have been using the hand wash, which they have attached to their uniform, since June last year; ahead of most hospitals.

The hospital has one of the lowest MRSA rates in England and Wales, with the last figures showing 38 recorded cases of the bug for 12 months from July 2003 to July 2004. Hospital chiefs are so aware of MRSA they are beginning to test patients before they are admitted to hospital.