HEALTH bosses are ramping up a campaign for staff, patients and visitors to do all they can to help hospitals in the battle against bugs.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) is launching the next stage of its promotion with installations and posters warning people about infections.

The aim is to remind everyone what they can do to help reduce infections such as MRSA, norovirus – the winter vomiting bug – and clostridium difficile, a bacterial infection that affects the digestive system.

The campaign applies to all three hospitals run by the trust – Westmorland General Hospital, Furness General and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Sue Smith, executive chief nurse, said: “We want people to think about infection prevention wherever they may be in our hospitals. Simple steps can make a huge difference.

If everyone cleans their hands with soap and water when entering and leaving a clinical environment, and staff do so in between each interaction with a patient, hospitals can significantly reduce risk.

“But we want patients to play their part too – they have my full support if they challenge clinical staff as to whether they have cleaned their hands. Everyone has a role to play."

The trust says handwashing is vital to tackle clostridium difficile and MRSA – and members of the public are reminded not to visit any hospital if they have suffered from or have been in contact with someone who has suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting recently.