WINCHESTER hospital is staging a big clear out so that its wards and clinical areas are easier to clean and less likely to harbour infections.

The de-clutter week' at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Romsey Road, runs from July 16 - 20. Ward staff have been asked to remove old, broken or unwanted supplies and equipment and ensure that all storage spaces are given a really good clean.

As well as creating extra space, de-clutter week' will identify equipment that could be fixed, or items that could be sold or donated to a charitable cause or used in other parts of the hospital.

Acting chief executive, Juliet Beal, said: "Tidy wards are clean wards and we know that it is far easier to clean a ward and cupboards that aren't cluttered with old or unused equipment and supplies. We take infection control extremely seriously here and our 'de-clutter week' is a sign that we are fighting this on all fronts.

"Other measures put in to improve our already good infection control rates include using induction, team meetings, job descriptions and appraisals to remind staff of their responsibilities in reducing the risk of infections spreading. Training has also been reviewed and the Trust has invested in a new pc-based training package on good infection control.

"There is also a review and an education programme around of the use of antibiotics and this will reduce the number of patients who develop Clostridium Difficile (severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by an interaction between certain antibiotics and a bacteria that exists in the gut)."

Mrs Beal added: "Infection control is everyone's business - and that includes patients and visitors. We would like to remind patients only to bring in what they absolutely need and what can fit in their lockers. Overspilling items of clothing or gifts from visitors can harbour bacteria as well as create more work for our busy housekeeping staff."