Figures released last week show the number of people becoming infected with clostridium difficile while at the Lakin Road site has reduced from 20 in December to six last month.

Cases diagnosed within the first 48 hours of a patient's stay have also reduced from four in December to one in February, meaning fewer people are being admitted with the infection.

Medical director Steven Mather is pleased with the progress. He said: "I think it's very good. There are a lot of things we have done over the last three months or so which all may have contributed but we can't be certain that anyone of those things has been the most important.

"But we know that the cleaning, hydrogen peroxide and foggers, which blow the solution into the ward killing bacteria and spores, are all contributing to the reduction in c-diff."

The new deep cleaning will be carried out annually with a rolling system for each of the wards and a spare area to house patients while it is being carried out.

Describing the process, Mr Mather said: "Deep cleaning is not just cleaning the surfaces, it is removing all of the vents, cleaning all the dust out from air conditioning vents, behind radiators and removing grids from walls."

He added: "We are trying to inform people that health care infections are not just the responsibility of doctors and nurses but of everybody. It's about raising a greater awareness that the bacteria is common place in the community."

Although the number of people catching the infection at the hospital has decreased, the amount of cases diagnosed in places such as nursing homes has increased. Mr Mather added: "I think we are seeing more cases as people are more aware of the symptoms."

Last month the hospital announced it would begin testing all patients for MRSA in April after fears the site would exceed its limit of 12 cases between April 2007 and March 2008. Mr Mather said: "We are on target and there is a chance we could below the target number of MRSA cases for the year.

"Our target is one blood infection per month, which is a very small number when you consider how many people are admitted each day. "