Ever heard the one about the dancing doctors, the singing surgeons and the moonwalking manager? Well, now you can.

Staff at a Manchester hospital have turned to the King of Pop Michael Jackson for inspiration in a campaign to beat the bugs.

Led by chief executive Julian Hartley on vocals, about 70 doctors, surgeons, nurses, technicians, clerical staff, cleaners and even patients members at the University Hospital of South Manchester, in Wythenshawe, have put their own stamp on Michael Jackson's song Beat It in a music video encouraging everyone to wash their hands and follow hygiene regulations.

Senior management and surgeons, as well as patients young and old, maintenance, cleaning and nursing staff, all feature in

The video which is part of the hospital's Infection Prevention drive which has already seen cases of MRSA drop by more than 60 per cent and C. difficile by over 50 per cent in the past 12 months. There have been seven cases of the MRSA super-bug since April, compared to 26 the previous year.

Inspired by UHSM's communications manager's ringtone and filmed in just one day, it follows hot on the heels of the hospital's 'great hand wash' last summer, when 1,000 people took part in a sing-a-long to a re-write of the Black Lace song Superman – named Superhands.

And with the opening line 'Don't wanna see any bugs around here; don't wanna see no germs, they better disappear,' it has proven a hit with staff, students and patients and found its way onto YouTube.

Chief executive, Mr Hartley, who even attempts the moonwalk in the three-minute video, said: “This is about getting across a serious message, in a consistent, engaging way and we've all been pleased with the response. I took a bit of convincing to sing and dance on camera but I wanted to show my support for the fantastic work the rest of the staff are doing. I think it's important that we have strong leadership on such an important issue and put a smile on people's face at the same time.

“Every hospital is doing an awful lot on this because it's a national priority but our way seems to have captured people's imaginations. It was low cost and has been generating interest from other hospitals in the region.”

But fans shouldn't brace themselves for an album yet. He added: “I think it's a case of 'don't give up the day job'.