EXTEND ZERO TOLERANCE OF HANDWASHING TO VISITORS- FINNIE

Written by Ross Finnie on Tue 27th Jan 2009

EXTEND ZERO TOLERANCE OF HANDWASHING TO VISITORS- FINNIE

West of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie has called on the Scottish Government to extend the 'Zero Tolerance' on lax hand hygiene to patients visitors in hospitals.

The zero tolerance approach to non compliance with hand hygiene procedures for NHS staff was launched today.

Commenting Mr Finnie said:

"This 'zero tolerance' approach will only work if it covers everyone in hospitals.

"If health workers are to be threatened with the sack for not washing their hands, then hospital visitors should also be subject to similar restrictions.

"We all have responsibility to stop infections spreading through hospital wards. If visitors repeatedly fail to wash their hands they shouldn't be allowed back.

"Infections in hospitals cost lives, as we have tragically seen at the Paisley Royal Alexandra Hospital. If the Government is really serious about tackling lax hygiene, then it must extend the zero tolerance policy to everyone in hospitals."

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