NHS Tameside and Glossop offered a helping hand to Global Handwashing Day with a reminder that keeping them washed and clean is one of the simplest and best ways to stop the spread of infection. Staff at the Trust’s headquarters at New Century House in Denton took part in a synchronised scrubbing on Thursday 15th October to set a good clean example to follow.
The big wash was part of the “Make a C Difference” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about rates of the infection C Difficile (C Diff) in the area, and steps which can be taken to reduce them. C Diff is a major problem in Tameside and Glossop. It can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and colitis. 80% of cases are in the over 65s, and in some cases it can even be fatal. Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of C Diff, so the more people do it the better.
Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water doesn’t just halt C Diff. It will also help stop the spread of other infections, not least that of swine flu, rates of which are once again rising in the area at the moment.
Executive Director of Nursing Hilary Garratt says “Washing your hands thoroughly is a simple and effective step everyone should take to cut down rates of infection. Taking that few extra moments can make all the difference.”