Max4Health - hand hygiene promotion

"Max4Health has delivered above and beyond on all levels... (It) is clearly
an energized organisation that intends on helping NHS Trusts improve
hand hygiene."

Amber Bateman
Trust Champion, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust


Max4Health, sometimes known simply as Max, is a strong and friendly character who promotes hand hygiene and educates a wide range of audiences including healthcare professionals, patients, schools and the general public.

Max4Health first appeared in 2005 as an educational animation to promote hand washing and reduce the spread of healthcare associated infections (HCAI), as part of a national campaign The Max Guide to Hand Hygiene developed in partnership with the NHS.

Hand Hygiene is the simplest and most cost-effective way of reducing transmission of infections and viruses, including swine flu, yet it is often forgotten, misunderstood or
badly practiced.

Max4Health is dedicated to increasing the awareness of, and adherence to, good hand
hygiene practice as a key protection against the spread of infections in communities in the UK and Worldwide.

The Max Guide to Hand Hygiene has gone from strength to strength and is now a comprehensive campaign, including a communications and training programme, being used in hospitals, Primary Care Trusts and other associated public and private healthcare settings throughout the UK.

Max4Health also communicates the vital importance of hand hygiene to primary school children through a range of Max4Health educational resourses which tie in with the national curriculum using animation, lesson plans, competitions and posters. Max educates young people at an age when good hand hygiene practice can become second nature and with swine flu now at pandemic level in the UK, it couldn’t be better timed!  

An educational book Max and his Clean Hands is available for children aged 0 to 6. Learn the hand washing rhyme with your child whilst trying to spot the germs that are keen to jump onto Max’s Hands whilst he plays, eats and has fun.

Campaign Coordinator Resourses and Training

If you are a campaign coordinator responsible for the promotion of hand hygiene in your organisation, please contact us for further information.