Doctors should surely be at the forefront of any cleanliness campaign. We all appreciate they are very busy people but given Stoke Mandeville's former problems with superbugs which have been well publicised, this issue surely should be foremost in their minds.

We look on doctors to set an example to the rest of us in this area - indeed we expect them too. So let us hope they respond to the warning for the good of us all.

The determination of Bucks Hospitals NHS trust to eradicate this threat to our health is one example of a positive reaction - but take our reaction to a similar code of practice - health and safety.

Why is it when you put those two words together the reaction of much of the population is either to recoil in horror or in barely subdued mirth?
Is it the fault of the press in 'sensationalising' an issue - various cases brought to court or lampooned in a derisory way?

Or is there a justifiable case for questioning such carry-ons.
Take this week's example of a pub landlord who spent a lot of time and money improving a neglected path near his premises.

For some reason - the county council has taken umbrage because he has interfered with a public right of way, restoring a path which was overgrown to one metre clearway instead of the regulation three.

The council had never seen the condition of the path before, let alone kept up its maintenance, so why not praise instead of a threat of legal action?