Thanks for the replies - food for thought!!
I have continued to ask the professionals that I work with about this topic and ironically it is the infection control lead nurse and GP that say it is fine, no problem, no real need for any additional protection other than any precautions you would normally take on dry land - BUT known MRSA patients/clients generally are in isolation, plinths/equipment are supposed to be wiped down and cleaned following use..........how feasible is this in a pool environment when you consider changing/transfering into a pool!?!? With secretions being MRSA+ coughs are capable of transfering the bug pretty much anywhere - but infection control say this is ok!?!? and no risk to the other medically vulnerable adults or children who use the pool at other times?!
Part of the problem is perhaps that I work within the community setting where MRSA is often swept under the carpet with the attitude *we can't do anything about it*. I'm not a big fan of the word can't )
Anyway....thanks for your interest!