Latest news with #BenjaminGardner
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Nearly half of hospital toilet users skip handwashing, study says
Almost one in two of people that use a hospital toilet do not wash their hands, according to new research from the University of 19-week study, in partnership with Bispebjerg hospital in Denmark, put sensors on toilet and sink pipes to monitor hygiene 2,636 flushes, it revealed 43.7% (1,153 flushes) of people using a hospital toilet skipped handwashing, with figures peaking at 61.8% on certain assumptions that handwashing may be "second nature" after Covid-19, Dr Pablo Pereira Doel from the University of Surrey said this behaviour could "directly affect patient safety". The study noted that handwashing figures were especially down at the start and end of each day, including typical Benjamin Gardner, from the University of Surrey, said: "Strategies that raise awareness at the crucial point in a bathroom visit and easily understood messaging about how to wash effectively – like singing Happy Birthday twice over – can help people form handwashing habits that last."Guidance from NHS England says handwashing is one of the easiest ways of preventing food poisoning and other illnesses, such as the flu, especially in hospital settings."These findings are worrying but not surprising," Prof Carrie Newlands from the University of Surrey Newlands wants visual reinforcements, such as posters and hand-gel stations, to be replaced by "more effective behavioural strategies".
BBC News
7 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
University of Surrey report urges rethink over future water use
Customers and the water industry must work together to reduce water use, an academic study has from the University of Surrey's Institute for Sustainability have been working with more than 100 professionals, including some from nine UK water university's report said companies should do more to understand how their customers use water, before helping them change their habits to help conserve also said installing more smart meters and fixing leaks would not be enough, with England projected to face a daily shortfall of five billion litres by 2055. How can I reduce my water usage?England needs more hosepipe bans and smart water meters - watchdog Prof Benjamin Gardner, lead author of the report and professor of psychology at the University of Surrey, said: "Most people don't know how much water they use. "The sector has focused on smart meters, which will raise awareness of water use – but smart meters alone won't cut it."The real challenge is in helping people to better recognise and understand how they use water and supporting them to continue doing their everyday activities, but in a more water-wise way. "To do that, the sector needs to make better use of behavioural science." 'The human factor' It suggests focussing on issues such as fixing leaks in their homes, taking shorter showers and not flushing toilets so often, and says the water industry should focus on technology to work alongside these Russell from Waterwise, a non-profit organisation which promotes water efficiency that took part in the study, said: "Research into behaviour helps us design smarter policies, technologies and communications that support people to use water more wisely."We can't afford to ignore the human factor. Water efficiency isn't just about infrastructure - it's about people, choices, habits, and values."
