Superhero Blasts The Bugs At Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Hero Joe (above) has been on Nightingale Ward to help raise awareness of the importance of hand hygiene and how cleaning your hands can protect you from a number of bugs and viruses.

Representing GoJo, who provides the Royal with a variety of hand gels and dispensing machines, the character visited a number of wards at a time of year when the importance of hand hygiene becomes particularly significant.

Rob Nash is the Head of Environmental Risk, he said: "We wanted to bring him down as part of Hand Hygiene Week. As we enter the winter months and see an increase in viruses such as Norovirus, Influenza, coughs and colds we thought it was particularly relevant.

"He's been giving out hand gels as well as information leaflets whilst representatives from GoJo have been speaking to patients, visitors and staff about the important message behind his appearance."

Jane Hill, GOJO's Regional Support Executive, said. "It was an honour to support the hospital in spreading positive hand hygiene during the week. Such a simple procedure, if done correctly, can help stop the spread of germs.

"Hero Joe was very popular with the children and we hope he positively and permanently influences their hand hygiene habits."

His visit comes just a week after Basil Ward was closed following an outbreak of Norovirus and at a time where people are being encouraged to get themselves vaccinated against flu.

The Royal's Senior Matron for Infection Prevention and Control added: "We can't over-emphasise the importance of good hand hygiene in stopping these diseases from spreading. We can't prevent outbreaks but we can all help to limit their impact by encouraging people to wash their hands with soap and warm water, dry them thoroughly and put the paper towels in the bin.

"We have sinks and hand gel dispensers in every bay, sinks at the entrance to every ward spine and two hand gel dispensers on each spine. They are there for a reason and we would urge all visitors and staff members to use them every time they enter and leave a ward."

An information video called 'Save Lives - Clean Hands' that explains when to wash your hands and the correct way to do so can be found on the trust's website and YouTube channel.