In about 10 minutes 121 people arrived at the Whittington Hospital and just 21 cleaned their hands

• ARRIVING early for a recent appointment at the Whittington Hospital, I spent 10 minutes in the entrance hall noting how many people used the hand gel dispenser when they came in.

Over the course of about 10 minutes 121 people arrived and just 21 cleaned their hands. The problem seems to be with positioning.

Most people didn’t even notice the gel dispensers which are on the side of the reception desk – at which point most people are looking straight ahead to the escalators – while the large banner is tucked away under the escalator by the lift entrance that few people use, and at this point would require them to retrace their steps.

In the past, a talking hologram of a nurse at the bottom of the stairs had the same issue – you only saw her when you had passed the dispensers and were stepping onto the escalators. Surely by the lifts, where people wait, would be a more useful place to put the dispensers?

I can’t believe the Whittington Hospital doesn’t regularly carry out such a simple survey itself. So does this gel use by visitors actually reduce infection in hospitals? If so, shouldn’t a bit more thought be given to how to increase its use? Or is this just a box-ticking exercise?

DOROTHY BOSWELL
Address supplied