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The number of deaths related to the MRSA superbug in care homes has increased by almost a third in three years, writes Simeon Brody.

Responding to a parliamentary question, health minister Jane Kennedy revealed that in 2003 the death certificates of 70 people living in nursing and residential homes mentioned MRSA, an increase of 17 since 2001.

Shadow health minister Simon Burns, who asked the question, described the figures as “truly disturbing”.

A spokesperson for the shadow minister said the figures were only likely to be the “tip of the iceberg”, as many deaths resulting from MRSA did not specifically mention it on the death certificate.

Burns said it was “ludicrous” that the Department of Health did not collect centrally the figures for MRSA in care homes.

He called for hospitals to be given guidance to ensure those being discharged from their wards into care homes are not infected.