Health workers have spoken of their fears after it was revealed that a patient infected with the superbug MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureas) is being treated on a general ward.

The patient, a man in his late 50s, is on ward ten of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead. Patients with MRSA are usually kept in isolation.

Ward ten is the surgical ward of the hospital and has 30 other patients.

The man, who has been in the hospital since Friday, has an open wound on his foot infected with the bug.

One hospital worker, who did not want to be named, said: "It is causing real concern here that this man is being kept on an open ward.

"Everyone knows the dangers of MRSA and how quickly it can spread."

Dr Ed Ong, a consultant in infectious diseases at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, said not isolating an MRSA patient was an exception rather than the rule.

He said: "It really does depend upon individual circumstances, but usually when a wound is infected with MRSA the patient is isolated.

"A reason why a patient may not be isolated is if they are in a non-surgical ward and other patients don't have wounds and sores. In these circumstances, it is less likely to be passed on."

MRSA causes symptoms ranging from boils to infections of the bone and heart.

A hospital spokesman said the health trust could not comment on individual patient cases because of confidentiality.

He said: "Many people carry the MRSA bacteria without any ill effects, but it can cause problems for people vulnerable after injury or illness and we remain vigilant at all times.

"The trust operates a stringent programme to check for infection in vulnerable patients."