Sanitising door handle to counter hospital infections

A door handle that automatically dispenses sanitising gel is the latest innovation in the battle against hospital infections at a time when the numbers ill with the winter vomiting bug are up 48%.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said 1,872 people became ill as a result of norovirus infection by mid-October. The figure for the same period last year was 1,264.

Data shows the largest outbreaks were in hospitals and nursing homes, although a hotel in the Midlands reported 29 cases. Earlier this month, Beaumont Hospital introduced visitor restrictions in an effort to control an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.