There has been an outbreak of MRSA at the hospital

The Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend has been forced to shut two wards to new patients to try to contain the outbreak.

Admissions are still continuing but a statement from Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust said there was "severe difficulties due to a number of beds being out of use".

"The trust has very stringent control of infection policies, which are geared to identify patients with such infections and minimise cross infection," the statement read.

"Despite the infection control measures in place, it has been necessary for Ward 8 to be temporarily closed to new admissions due to MRSA. And for Ward 6 to be closed due to diarrhoea and vomiting.

"Patients on the wards who have been confirmed as having an infection are being nursed in isolation."

Infection

The numbers of people infected with MRSA has increased - last year there were 491 serious cases in Wales alone.

Between 25% and 50% of patients in nursing and residential homes carry the MRSA bacteria.

The government is introducing a raft of measures designed to boost hygiene standards in hospitals.

The "action plan" will give this senior manager the power to enforce strict rules on hygiene.

Hospital-acquired infections cost the NHS an estimated �1 billion a year, and kill thousands of patients.