Our skin is covered in bacteria which help keep it healthy. Our intestines are also full of bacteria that help them function. Bacteria only cause problems if they enter the body where they could cause infection.

Some medical treatments, operations and wounds can make a person vulnerable to ‘bugs’ that cause infections such as ‘MRSA’ or ‘Clostridium difficile’ (or ‘C.diff’).

Until recently, it was believed that bacterial infection could be controlled and eliminated by using antibiotics. Now the ‘bugs’ have evolved to fight the antibiotics, so new measures have been introduced such as reducing the number of prescribed antibiotics and continuing to ensure our hospitals are clean and safe.