The number of patients succumbing to hospital superbugs has decreased, according to official statistics from the General Register Office for Scotland.

The figures show that 139 people died from Clostridium difficile (C.diff) in 2009, down by 44 per cent on 2008 figures which stood at 248 fatalities. According to the Press and Journal, MRSA deaths were also considerably down, from 48 in 2008, to 24 last year.

Such figures reflect the stringent cleanliness standards enforced across NHS hospitals with staff in roles such as nurse manager jobs, radiography and catering positions ensuring their departments are kept hygienic.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, spoke to the BBC about the figures, saying that control measures in hospitals were taking effect.

''It's vital that people have confidence in the quality of care they receive if they need hospital treatment and that's why we have put in place a wide range of measures designed to both crackdown on these infections and improve healthcare outcomes.''

''Infection rates have been steadily declining in recent months and are now at their lowest level since monitoring began. It is good news that, as expected, death rates are mirroring this trend.''

According to the BBC, the Scottish government has tripled its efforts to reduce infections, committing £50 million to the cause over the next three years.