Cardboard nurses tackle infection

The voice recording is activated as people walk past

Cardboard "cut-out" nurses are being used to tackle the spread of infections in two Nottinghamshire hospitals.

The life-size figures play an electronic message reminding patients, visitors and staff to wash their hands whenever people walk past them.

The cut-outs are being used at the King's Mill and Newark hospitals.

Elaine Overton, a senior infection control nurse, said the new initiative has been popular with patients and staff at the hospitals.

Good hygiene

A voice recording reminding people to wash their hands is played when a sensor is activated by someone walking past the figure.

Ms Overton said: "They're personalised to the ward and environment they're in and give a message to help everyone address infection control - particularly around hand hygiene.

"The message is getting across. It's about different ways of getting the message across and about changing emphasis so it's not getting boring.

"This particular cardboard lady is a new initiative... which has been taken on very well by the staff and the public."