A NATIONWIDE campaign to improve personal hygiene is being pioneered at Yeovil District Hospital.

The hospital has been chosen as an early implementer of the 'Clean Your Hands' campaign set up by the National Patient Safety Agency to help save lives by better hand hygiene.

Following a successful pilot in six other NHS trusts, the scheme will be launched locally in January, with state-of-the-art new hand disinfectant dispensers being installed at every bedside, to replace those previously in use.

Yeovil Hospital is already leading the way by asking everyone to clean their hands as they enter and leave the main building, with disinfectant hand gels prominent in main reception. These were installed in August following feedback from members of the public. Gel dispensers are also available on every ward.

The Clean Your Hands campaign aims to improve the behaviour and personal responsibility of healthcare workers in observing hand hygiene standards, in compliance with national and local guidelines.

It is designed to promote a culture whereby infection control is "everyone's business" including patients and visitors, who will be encouraged to ask health professionals whether they have cleaned their hands. Its focus will be to raise awareness and to facilitate and share good practice.

As well as new hand gel dispensers being fitted on every bedside locker, staff have for some time been issued with their own, individual dispensers which clip onto uniforms.

Promotional posters will go up as "talking walls" that change every fortnight, and staff will have the chance to be featured in the publicity as Clean Your Hands champions.

The hospital's nursing and clinical governance director, Liz Robb, who is also director of infection control, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Yeovil District Hospital has been chosen to pioneer this campaign to raise everyone's awareness on the importance of hand hygiene, because it is something we have long regarded as an absolute priority.

"Using the gels has been shown to reduce the risk of infection, which is so important to patients, their families, and to healthcare professionals. We hope that the Clean Your Hands campaign will really inspire everyone to take this simple step when they enter and leave the building, and in between seeing each patient.

"We are also encouraging people to ask those treating them whether they have cleaned their hands."

The Dr Foster Good Hospital Guide 2004 rated Yeovil Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department as the third cleanest in the country.

New advice is also being issued to patients coming into hospital to reduce the risks of infection. Inpatients are encouraged to bring their own personal toiletries like soap and moist hand wipes which they should use after going to the toilet and before meals.

Lockers should be kept clutter-free so that cleaning staff can do a thorough job. Patients and visitors should report to staff if toilets or other areas do not appear clean.

They should always wear something on their feet when walking in the hospital, and refrain from sitting on other patient's beds or chairs.