Gloves are off

Regarding C Ireland's comments on hospital infections in 'Come Clean' (Talking Point, 29 September) a major issue from my industrial days is the correct use of gloves. They are great for protecting the wearer, but he or she then invariably touches everything in sight that will then be touched by others not wearing gloves. This is a major source of contamination and disease spread.

I know it is really hard to educate people and it is part of the engineering role to design a system that limits any cross contamination.

But sometimes not wearing gloves prompts people to take more care as they will then use disinfectant washes more efficiently.

John Phelps, Birmingham