HEALTH bosses are trying to allay fears that Muslims can't clean their hands with hospital rub because it contains alcohol.

The alcohol-based product is designed to combat the spread of MRSA and other superbugs. Its use has doubled at hospital trust sites in Bury, North Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale over the last year.

But nurses say some Muslim patients and visitors have been concerned it could breach strict guidelines banning alcohol consumption.

Marian Carroll, Pennine Accute Hospital Trust director of nursing, said: "A number of people have raised this point with us, and we realise that we have to make the message clear to patients and visitors whose religion has prohibitions in relation to alcohol.

"The alcohol in the rub is unfermented and evaporates almost on contact after it has done its job in killing the bugs, so there is no question that you would accidentally consume some. That is a message of reassurance which we can give to all visitors. Of course, hand washing is the main thing, and soap and water also does a good job. But we want people to know that they should not hesitate to use the rub."