Staff at Moorfields go bare below the elbows

Press contact: Beverley Bailey
Tel: 020 7566 2424
Email: beverley.bailey@moorfields.nhs.uk

From 1 February, a new dress code came into effect at Moorfields meaning that all staff that have contact with patients or use clinical areas are 'going bare' from the elbows down.

This means that sleeves should be rolled up, and wrist watches and jewellery should be removed. It is thought that long-sleeved clothing prevents thorough hand and wrist washing, which is vital to prevent the spread of infections such as MRSA and Clostridium Difficile (C-diff).

The new dress code is part of Department of Health guidelines and forms part of the Healthcare Commission assessment of Moorfields against the Hygiene Code standards. In line with raising the profile of infection control across the Trust, a soon-to-be-launched Moorfields campaign, 'clean hands, clean hospital, safe care', will be strongly encouraging everyone, including patients and visitors to clinical areas, to wash their hands, and use the alcohol rub dispensers provided, both while entering clinical areas, and when leaving.

Notes for editors

• Opened in 1805, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the world’s leading centres for ophthalmic treatment and teaching. With our research partner, the Institute of Ophthalmology, we are embarking on an exciting programme of research in order to find cures for diseases currently untreatable. It is the oldest and largest specialist eye hospital in the world,
• The entire range of eye diseases is treated at Moorfields from cataract, corneal and retinal conditions to complex diseases, and last year over 260,000 patients were treated. Our eminent reputation means that patients come to us not only from all over the UK, but from around the world. 
  Moorfields became one of the UK’s first NHS foundation trusts in 2004.
• More information about the hospital can be found at www.moorfields.nhs.uk