The peak season for influenza and gastroenteritis is upon us, that’s why Walcha residents Shirley Davidson and Dawn Lewis, members of the Peel Community Forum on Health, are urging Walcha people to take simple precautions to help reduce the spread of the highly contagious and debilitating illnesses.

The Forum is leading the partnership between the community and Walcha MPS staff, to reduce the spread of sickness by remembering to always use alcohol-based hand rub when entering or leaving the health service.

Ms Lewis said hand hygiene was the number one way to prevent the spread of Illness.

“Remembering to clean your hands is the easiest way to help ensure you and everyone you know stay healthy this winter,” Ms Lewis said. “When we neglect to clean our hands, we unknowingly spread germs.

“By using the alcohol-based hand rub provided you’re helping to ensure that you don’t bring infections into the health service or take infections back out into the community.”

Alcohol-based hand rub is available at the front entrance of Walcha MPS.

“If you can’t find a hand washing basin or alcohol-based hand rub please ask a staff member where it is - they will be happy you’ve taken the time to protect everyone around you from potential infection,” Ms Lewis said.

Walcha MPS Manager Kristine Smith said with the community’s help the service could drastically reduce the spread of sickness this winter.

“Health service staff make hand hygiene a priority, but many visitors unknowingly bring in germs and spread illness by touching their loved ones and surfaces without cleaning their hands,” Ms Smith said.

“It’s great to see that the Peel Community Forum on Health is supporting our efforts to minimise spread of flu and gastro this season.”