Gloves Off Campaign: The Alex

Why is the policy changing?

We are trying to reduce the number of plastic gloves we use in this Trust because:

• They do not always reduce the risk of infection.
• Sometimes we need to change what we do to make sure everyone is looked after in the best way for them.
• They end up in landfill and are bad for the environment.

What does this mean for me?

You as a patient or relative don’t need to do anything differently. You might just notice some differences if you have been at The Alex before.

You might see different types of gloves being used, or no gloves at all.

The staff looking after you will have had training about the new policy. They will assess each task to decide what action to take. This depends on the task and what is safest for you.

They will know when we should use gloves and what sort of gloves we should use.

Frequently asked questions

“Will people have clean hands if they are not using gloves?”

Yes: staff are trained in how to wash hands. They will know when to wash with soap and water, or alcohol gel.

“Where can I find out more information about this?”

If you have any questions or need more information, just speak to the staff looking after you. You can also look at these websites and articles:

• Great Ormond Street Hospital: The gloves are off!
• Royal College of Nursing: How to reduce glove use | RCN Magazines
• NHS England: National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England