Privately funded care homes could soon have new hygiene standards issued by the government.

Health secretary John Reid announced new proposals for enabling legislation that would allow the government to extend to hospitals, care homes and nursing homes a statutory hygiene code.

The move comes amid increasing concern about hygiene in light of the rise in the number of superbug cases.

"I am exploring with health and social care inspectors the prospect of extending to hospitals, care homes and nursing homes a statutory hygiene code," Mr Reid said.

"Such a statutory hygiene code would apply to both the public and independent sectors."