A report on superbugs in hospitals has shown a significant reduction in Clostridium difficile (C. diff) cases at health trusts serving Hertsmere.

The figures published by the Health Protection Agency relate to the period between April and June this year.

Watford General Hospital, managed by West Hertfordshire NHS Hospitals Trust, has had the biggest reduction of any hospital in the country in the percentage of patients contracting infections. The hospital, in Vicarage Road, serves one third of Hertsmere patients.

The trust had 227 cases of C. diff last year between April and June, compared with 37 cases during the same period this year.

Chief executive Jan Filochowski said he was “delighted” with the findings, which confirmed the “enormous improvements” it has made in reducing hospital-acquired infections.

He added the figures hid an even bigger improvement locally.

Mr Filochowski said: “Although they show the biggest improvement across England, our more up-to-date figures show an even greater improvement.

“Our C. diff infection rates show a staggering reduction in the past 12 months — 86 cases in August last year and only four in August this year.”

Watford General was inspected on October 13 by the East of England Infection Control team.

In its report, it congratulated the trust on “a stunning performance”.

Mr Filochowski added: “We have introduced measures to combat infections including reinforcing hand hygiene, opening isolation wards, weekly hygiene audits and reducing the prescribing of certain antibiotics which reduce resistance to infections.

“Patient safety remains our number one priority and our hospitals are now among the safest in the country on infection.”

C. diff is an infection causing diarrhoea that can lead to severe illness with bleeding in the colon.

At worst, it can cause perforation of the intestine, which can be fatal.

Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Hospitals Trust had 123 cases from April to June last year and 48 for the same time this year.

The trust manages Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, which serves two-thirds of Hertsmere patients.

Medical director Richard Harrison said: “The incidence of C. diff has been reduced by 90 per cent in the past 18 months.

“This improvement has been achieved by the concerted effort of all staff and we are determined to maintain the improvement so all of our patients can feel confident they are safe in our hands.”