A COMPANY which is headquartered in Basingstoke has the technology to stamp out the killer superbug MRSA.

STERIS, a worldwide leader in decontamination and infection prevention, has been given the green light by the Rapid Review Panel of the Health Protection Review Agency to start marketing its Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide machines to the National Health Service.

The VHP technology is not new, as it has been used by the pharmaceutical industry for the last 15 years, but recent trials have proved its success in decontaminating hospital wards, operating theatres and emergency vehicles.

Dr Gerry McDonnell, the senior director of technical affairs at STERIS' European headquarters at The Viables, has been heading the most recent research on the VHP technology.

He said: "There's nothing to stop people using it today."

STERIS will be a major sponsor of the Patients Association Clean Hospitals Summit in April, where it will showcase its research in a bid to kill off the superbug, which is thought to claim 5,000 lives a year.

The company did not reveal the cost of the VHP machines, but said it is also offering a contract service, with STERIS carrying out decontamination.

Dr McDonnell said tests had already been successfully carried out on an ambulance where MRSA was found. And a London hospital was able to reopen a ward that had been closed because of the superbug.

One of the great advantages is that decontamination with the dry, environmentally-friendly gas can be carried out in hours.

Dr McDonnell said: "A ward that could be closed for weeks can be reopened within hours, which solves a bed crisis shortage.

"MRSA has refocused attention on infection prevention," added the doctor, who was quick to point out that the technology did not eliminate the need for hand washing by medical staff and basic hygiene procedures, describing the VHP machines as "yet another product to combat infection".

The STERIS VHP technology had a high profile in America in 2001 when it was used to deal with anthrax contamination in two US federal buildings, including the US State Department mail processing offices.

It also has potential to work with other superbugs, such as the SARS virus, and already STERIS is in discussion with several NHS trusts following the Rapid Review Panel approval.

Dr McDonnell said: "It's entirely up to the NHS - the individual trusts and hospitals. If MRSA is a concern to them, this is the product they should look at. I can guarantee it's effective, simple and environmentally friendly."

He added: "STERIS is ready to introduce its VHP technology to the NHS and work closely with hospitals to ensure its safe and effective application.

"Our extensive research and practical application has shown that VHP's integrated process can provide a validated solution to reducing the contamination levels in emergency patient transfer vehicles and hospital rooms."

The far-reaching uses of VHP have been given an enthusiastic welcome by world-renowned virologist Professor John Oxford, of Queen Mary's Medical School in London.

He said: "This technology has huge potential. All the evidence illustrates the wide application to tackle the threats to health and hygiene.

"Working with STERIS, we will be commencing trials for using VHP technology to eradicate influenza and SARS in a matter of days."

Irish-born Dr McDonnell came to Basingstoke to join STERIS after working at the Colorado State University as a microbiologist. He is currently finishing a book on all aspects of decontamination, due for publication later this year.