Call for cameras to check NHS hand washing

Published on Wednesday 24 December 2008 08:53

CALLS have been made for spy cameras to check on NHS hand washing.

Labour public health spokesman Dr Richard Simpson questioned the reliability of official monitoring of hand hygiene designed to combat hospital superbugs. And he called for covert camera surveillance to ensure all staff were washing their hands appropriately.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act have shown that NHS Lothian audited only eight per cent of wards – 21 wards out of 260 – with most surveillance periods lasting only an hour. This compares, however, to more than 50 per cent of wards in NHS Forth Valley being surveyed, where 22 of its 42 wards were audited.

But concerns have been raised about staff being aware of audits, which it has been claimed leads to temporary changes in practice.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon ordered NHS boards to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to hand hygiene.

From next month, doctors and nurses who repeatedly flout hand-washing guidelines could be sacked.

Health experts claim that hand hygiene is the "single most important factor" in reducing and preventing cases of MRSA and clostridium difficile (C. diff).

Under the tough new rules announced by Ms Sturgeon, monitoring teams will carry out unannounced inspections of wards.