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Chief Nursing Officer demands action for cleaner, safer hospitals

Nurses, doctors, consultants and cleaners from 939 hospitals sites will be working together to raise the profile of good hygiene in hospitals today as part of Think Clean Day.

Think Clean Day is an initiative between local trusts, the Department of Health, UNISON, and other key partners including the Royal College of Nursing, to raise the profile and importance of hygiene issues in hospitals. Think Clean Day is part of the bigger programme on hospital cleanliness and hygiene. It offers trusts a chance to look critically at their current performance and take immediate steps to put things right, but it also makes it clear that it is long term action that counts.

The purpose of the day is to focus attention on cleaning and demonstrate what can be achieved in just one day. Staff can immediately use this experience to improve their hospital cleaning plan. The NHS has sent out packs of promotional material to hospitals to ensure the day has the maximum effect.

Hospitals across England, representing 93% of Acute hospital Trusts, are being asked to audit a ward or department and find solutions to any cleanliness problems they find.  Cleanliness is everybody's responsibility so everyone from cleaners to consultants will be involved.

Christine Beasley, the Chief Nursing Officer, Claire Rayner, President of The Patients Association and Beverley Malone the General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, will be visiting Lewisham Hospital in South East London today to see what staff are doing there to support Think Clean Day. 

Christine Beasley said:

'Hospitals need to be kept clean all day, every day and we have already put in place national standards and monitoring procedures which will deliver real improvement. Think Clean Day is all about local NHS staff making a difference in their area.  Everyone, no matter how junior or senior can play a part.

'I hope that all staff will take the opportunity to think about how they work, and whether there are any changes they could make that would improve the cleanliness of our hospitals.  That way, Think Clean Day will leave a legacy that lasts well beyond today.'

Claire Rayner said:

"The Patients Association takes this opportunity of reminding all healthcare professionals that "think clean day" is an ideal way to reinforce this practice when it comes to protecting their patients by the implementation of basic hygiene including regular handwashing, the use of alcohol based gels and the extra protection from using gloves. 

'These very simple but effective measures go a long way to ensure cleanliness and the protection of patients as well as staff"

Beverley Malone said:

'The RCN welcomes the Think Clean Day initiative as a good way to remind nurses and other healthcare staff of the importance of hygiene wherever patients are receiving care.   

'But the truth is every day should be Think Clean Day and nurses have an important role to play in ensuring that cleanliness is at the top of everyone's agenda. 

'The Think Clean pack is useful, well-thought out tool that can be used by staff, patients and their families and everybody concerned with eradicating hospital acquired infections.'

Think Clean Day is the latest initiative designed to improve standards of cleanliness in hospitals; previous initiatives include the on-going cleanyourhands campaign (led by the National Patients Safety Agency) and the new cleaning contract published by the Secretary of State for Health, Dr John Reid.