Throughout last October, November and December, the Infection Control Nursing Team visited as many clinical areas as possible in the Trust to promote effective hand hygiene.

The aim was to reinforce the importance of effective hand hygiene and to enable staff to assess their own hand hygiene technique. Staff in clinical areas were asked to apply a fluorescent gel to their hands before washing. After washing, hands were checked under ultra violet (UV) light. As the fluorescent gel glows under UV light, it is possible to see any areas of the hands which have been missed during washing. Using an assessment tool, staff were 'scored' according to their hand wash technique and by how clean their hands were under the UV light after washing. Staff were also given information about the appropriate use of alcohol hand gel. Staff were given pens and badges for taking part and invited to complete a questionnaire to assess their knowledge of hand hygiene.

Trust Chief Executive, Graham Elderfield, will be presenting the prizes to the winners at a special presentation ceremony on Tuesday, 27 April at 10.00 a.m. A demonstration of the ultra violet light check will be given at the ceremony.

The overall winner is Nicola Stroud, a first year student nurse, who will be presented with a certificate, book and wine. The two runners up, Joyce Carter (Ward Clerk) and Michael Orola (Staff Nurse) will both receive a certificate and a bottle of wine.

It is hoped that the Hand Hygiene Road Show will become an annual event.