NHS South East Coast has pledged to wipe out MRSA hospital infections and reduce heart disease, stroke and cancer deaths by 2011.

In a new report published on Tuesday (Feb 19), the health authority has set out its priorities for improving public health and the health service in Kent, Sussex and Surrey by 2011.

It also aims to close the gap between healthier communities in the region and those lower levels of life expectancy and to exceed national targets for better and safer care for all patients.

It is the first time the NHS has been able to set its own goals at a regional level, and has made tackling hospital infection its top priority.

The authority has set itself a target of eliminating all hospital acquired MRSA cases in the region in next three years, and aims to reduce the number of Clostridium difficile cases - responsible for more than 90 deaths in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells between 2004 and 2006 - by 55 per cent.

It also seeks to cut the number of cardiovascular and cancer deaths in under 75s an extra 10 per cent, and will address lingering national issues such as speeding up patient’s access to care.

Candy Morris, Chief Executive of NHS South East Coast, said: “We are setting ambitious goals for the NHS across Kent, Surrey and Sussex on the things that we know matter most to local people.

“We know the public’s number one concern is around infection control and cleanliness, and that is why we will continue our relentless focus on patient safety and the quality of care.

“We are also determined to bring down death rates from heart disease and cancer, the region’s two biggest killers.

“The ambitious goals the NHS has set itself today will deliver real improvements in services for patients and in the health of our local communities. I would like to thank colleagues from across the region for their hard work and commitment to setting out and taking forward these plans.”

The health authority said it would use surplus funds in many Primary Care Trusts in the region to invested in service improvements.

At end of March, the region’s PCTs are due to publish their own proposals on how to improve their services on behalf of local people, and the public will be invited to have their say on the plans.

A full copy of the NHS South East Coast Operating Framework 2008/09 – 2010/11: Towards Healthier People and Excellent Care is available to view at www.southeastcoast.nhs.uk/operatingframework