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Hull FC star helps kick germs into touch

March 2009

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Hull FC star Ewan Dowes is joining a major health drive by the NHS, working in partnership with local government, to encourage people to "Give Soap a Chance."

Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has the one of the best records in the country at tackling healthcare-associated infections.

Now, the Trust is determined to reduce rates even further, both in hospitals and the community and has joined with partners NHS Hull, NHS East Riding, the Health Protection Agency as well as local authorities to spread the word on the importance of handwashing.

Ewan Dowes, 28, will help launch "Give Soap a Chance", a major campaign to improve hand hygiene, at the KC Stadium on March 19.

The Hull FC prop said: "Just washing hands with soap and water can prevent a child vomiting or hundreds from contracting diarrhoea. It can even prevent an outbreak of flu."

"It's such a simple act and one we can all do for the benefit of everyone. Give soap a chance, wash your hands regularly and help us all stay healthy."

Good hand hygiene is regarded as the single most cost-effective way of tackling infections spread by unclean hands, such as food poisoning, diarrhoea and viruses such as colds and flu as well as more serious conditions such as MRSA.

Research shows that around up to half of men and a quarter of women fail to wash their hands after going to the toilet, even 'though up to 10 billion bacteria are present between a person's fingertip and elbow, with the number of germs doubling after using the bathroom.

Eileen Henderson, Assistant to Medical Director for Hull & East Yorkshire NHS Trust said: "While we’ve reduced our infection rates dramatically in recent years, we want to get even better and there’s one simple way everyone can help."

"Hand washing with soap and water is the most effective way of preventing the spread of infections both in hospital and at home."

"We're spreading the word to try to stop the spread of infection by asking everyone to clean up their act. Help us. Wash your hands and give soap a chance."