MP putting hand washing to the test at St Helier Hospital

7.01.56pm GMT Mon 1st Nov 2004

Local MP Paul Burstow has been finding out about positive steps being taken by St Helier hospital to tackle hospital acquired infections, in a visit last week as part of National Infection Control Week.

Mr Burstow was taken on ward visits by Consultant Microbiologist Dr Sharon Chambers and spoke to doctors, nurses, and support staff as part of the hospital's Hand Hygiene Week.

The aim of Hand Hygiene Week was to raise awareness of the importance of clean hands in preventing the spread of infections around hospitals.

As part of the scheme Paul Burstow MP, along with nurses, consultants and managers underwent tests using coloured dye and UV light to see how well they had washed their hands. The UV-test showed up bacteria that could not be detected by the human eye alone.

St Helier hospital has been putting cleanliness at the top of its agenda having just had a £1.3 million upgrade of its Sterilising and Disinfection Unit.

Paul Burstow said:

"Clean hands are essential to tackling the problems of hospital acquired infections and St Helier hospital has been taking positive steps to increase awareness amongst it staff about proper hand washing practice.

"Tackling the superbugs should be given top priority to prevent people coming out of hospital more ill than when they went in."

Dr Sharon Chambers, Consultant Microbiologist at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, added:

"We have been working hard on delivering efficient and effective infection control within our hospitals. And we are very grateful to Paul Burstow for coming to give his support and would like to thank all the staff who took part in such a positive and professional way.

"We hope to build on the success of the recent campaign and continue to raise awareness of the importance of good infection control practice and hygiene within our hospitals."