News and press releases

Two hundred and eighteen students at Wellfield Junior School in Sale became expert hand washers and “germ detectives” this month as they received infection prevention training from staff at BMI The Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle.
 
The hospital’s “Clean Team” led by Infection Control Sister Lesley King taught each class in the school about how germs can cause illness and can be easily spread from person to person, but that the simplest and most effective way of preventing this is by washing their hands thoroughly with soap. The students were asked to participate in a number of hygiene training sessions using a special hand gel that mimics germs and glows under UV light.

To show students how cold or flu germs generated from one child’s sneeze or cough can be passed on to classmates, students were divided into groups of five and one child was asked to spread the germ gel on their hands and then shake the hands of their classmates. The classmates then inspected their hands using the UV light and were amazed to see that the fake germs from the first student had been transmitted onto all four of the other members of their group.

The Clean Team then taught students washing with water alone will not get rid of bacteria or germs.  After spreading the special germ gel on their hands, some children were asked to wash their hands with soap whilst others were asked to wash only with water. Students then compared their hands under the UV lights and saw that those that washed without soap had several traces of fake germs left on their hands whilst those that washed with soap had very little. 

At the end of the training session, students were officially inducted into the “Clean Team” and asked to sign a Clean Team bubble poster to symbolise their ongoing promise to always wash their hands with soap. Each student was also provided with a Clean Team rucksack that included an illustrated “Germs Make Me Sick” book, a “Health is in Your Hands” wristband that can be worn as a hand washing reminder and blowing bubbles to remind them that washing with soap is good, clean fun.   
 
Head Teacher of Wellfield Junior School, Ms Sandra Roberts said, “The health and safety of our students is top priority for us. Now more than ever we are reminded of the importance of good hygiene in protecting the spread of illnesses especially amongst children, so we are very pleased that The Alexandra Hospital’s Clean Team volunteered their time to providing free training and materials for the children. The students really enjoyed the activities, and I am confident that they will continue to practice the good lessons they’ve learned on a daily basis at school and at home.”

Lesley King, Infection Control Sister at The Alexandra Hospital, and leader of The Clean Team said: “Our team had a fantastic time teaching the students about hand washing and hygiene. It was great to see the students keen to answer questions about germs and competing for the honour of being the person with the cleanest hands. At our hospital, we take great pride in ensuring that we uphold the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. So, it’s an honour to share what we learn in hospitals with children in our local communities.”