Health workers improve on handwashing

HEALTH workers are continuing to improve their compliance with handwashing guidelines in the Lothians, a report has revealed.

Standards were introduced by the Scottish Government to ensure doctors, nurses and other hospital staff washed their hands between seeing patients and other key intervals.

And the latest audit has shown nearly 95 per cent of employees are abiding by regulations.

It is a drastic improvement from earlier this year, when health bosses were forced to formally warn doctors about not maintaining levels of hand hygiene.

Health chiefs expressed shock at how some of the most senior people within hospitals were the ones least likely to comply with the Scottish Government's zero tolerance approach on handwashing.

Handwashing among staff and visitors is seen as a key weapon against the spread of superbugs in Lothians hospitals, and came to the fore when health boards across the country attempted to clamp down on swine flu last year.