HOSPITAL chiefs are implementing new care procedures in an attempt to reduce the rate of a potentially fatal superbug.

Both Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, Woolwich, and Lewisham Hospital, Lewisham High Street, have seen a year-on-year rise in Clostridium difficile.

Confirmed cases of the bug in patients aged over 65 at the Quenn Elizabeth rose from 206 in 2004, to 262 last year a 27 per cent increase.

And from January to June this year the hospital has already recorded a further 180 cases.

At Lewisham the rate increased from 301 in 2004 to 321 last year nearly a seven per cent rise.

Hospital bosses are now improving cleaning procedures and changing the use of antibiotics which, in some cases, can cause the infection.

Clostridium difficile, known as C Diff, can lead to diarrhoea, inflammation of the bowel and vomiting.

People aged over 65 are more susceptible and since January 2004 all acute hospitals have been required by law to record cases in this age group.

The figures, released by the Health Protection Agency, reflect a national rise.

A spokesman for Lewisham Hospital said: "We are working very hard to reduce our rates of C Diff and cases of it have decreased over the past year.

"Measures include enhanced cleaning and disinfection of our adult wards, a complete change of antibiotics and a very close surveillance of cases to prevent possible transmission."

A Queen Elizabeth Hospital spokesman said: "We will be holding fortnightly meetings to keep a very close eye on C Diff.

"We have learnt from Lewisham Hospital's effort and we too will to be implementing advanced cleaning methods and look at our use of antibiotics."

The reported rise in C Diff comes as both hospital have managed to reduce MRSA rates.

Cases at Queen Elizabeth reduced from 41 in 2004/5 to 23 in 2005/6 and at Lewisham Hospital incidences of the bug decreased from 60 to 31 over the same period.