The commonsense practice is at the frontline in the battle against superbugs, and now hand-washing facilities are being upgraded at hospitals across the country.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (UHLT) has installed 115 new high-visibility hand hygiene stations outside its wards and departments to encourage visitors, patients and staff to clean their hands on entering and leaving the areas.

Not only do the new stations sport eye-catching colours, but they are accompanied by signs on the floor pointing out where the stations are located.

The stations feature bottles of alcohol hand rub and directions on how to properly clean your hands – a six-step process.

ULHT senior infection prevention nurse Charmian Hutson said: "Our organisation continues to take hospital-acquired infection seriously and has been successful in reducing the rates of infections.

"It is hoped this initiative, together with other projects such as staff training, careful use of antibiotics, and environmental cleanliness, will assist in fighting infection."

The trust reported in May of this year a fall on the number of C-difficile infections by 41 per cent, and the number of MRSA infections by 37 per cent in the previous 12 months.