September will see the launch of a ‘soap opera’ featuring NHS Lanarkshire staff.

It will see the first of three short films released to help promote key infection prevention and control (IPC) messages such as good hand hygiene.

A host of staff volunteered to appear in the films after an appeal went out earlier this year with seven staff finally being selected to play parts in all three ‘episodes’.

Head of IPC, Emer Shepherd, said: “Reminding staff, patients and the public about infection prevention and control is a constant task for us.

“While our compliance in Lanarkshire is very good, we don’t want to get complacent and we also want to try new and original ways of reminding everyone about the importance of hand hygiene.

“We felt a ‘soap opera’ would be a fun, quirky and original way to remind everyone about what are serious messages.”

The three short films each focus of a key IPC message.

However, there is a connecting narrative through all three consistent with a ‘mini soap’.

Emer continued: “We were delighted with the number of staff who volunteered to get involved.

“We’d have loved to have used them all, but clearly there are only so many parts.

“I also really want to thank all the staff selected as they gave up their time for filming.

“The producer who oversaw the project was very impressed by the talent of people who had never been in front of a camera before and their enthusiasm.”

She added: “We hope staff enjoy watching their colleagues perform.

“But we’re also keen for patients and the public to see the videos as we all have a part to play in promoting good infection prevention and control.”

Watch out for the first episode of the IPC ‘soap opera’ in mid- September.