Students test MRSA-killer uniform

Student nurses are wearing the uniforms on work placements

Student nurses in Kent and Medway are testing a new type of uniform designed to help in the fight against the hospital superbug MRSA.

The fabric contains an anti-microbial treatment which "electrocutes" harmful bacteria to stop them spreading.

Canterbury Christ Church University believes it is the first in the UK to trial the product, called Permagard.

"It is an attempt to help address the wider national problem of the spread of MRSA," said Professor Margaret Andrews.

The primary preventer of MRSA is good hand washing and hygiene - this is a small part of the picture Professor Margaret Andrews

More than 400 student nurses, midwives, radiographers and occupational therapists have been issued with the uniforms to wear on work placements in local hospitals.

"They are getting on very well with the care and washing for the uniforms and in the lifting and handling they have to do with patients," said Professor Andrews, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care.

She said the Permagard coats the fabric, which looks the same but has a slightly different feel to normal uniform material.

"If it goes well we hope it will be an additional measure to cease the transmission of MRSA," said Professor Andrews.

"The primary preventer of that is good hand washing and hygiene - this is a small part of the whole picture."