Fist bump should replace handshake to avoid spreading disease, says MP

Scientists have found that replacing the standard greeting could reduce the spread of bacteria by up to 90 per cent

Fist bumping instead of shaking hands could reduce the spread of bacteria by up to 90 per cent (Getty Images)

The fist bump should replace the handshake as the standard greeting in the UK to avoid spreading disease, an MP has suggested.

After a debate in Westminster Hall on hand washing – MPs were urged to do this more often because of the amount of people they meet – the Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss suggested British society should do away with the traditional handshake. “Fist bumps are a slightly better alternative,” the SNP member said, citing research from Aberystwyth University.

Scientists found that using a fist bump instead of a handshake could reduce the spread of bacteria by up to 90 per cent.

During the debate, the Tory MP Nigel Mills said doctors and nurses were not washing their hands enough when they treat patients. He said 300,000 patients contract an infection during a hospital stay every year, with 5,000 deaths.

“The main thing is that the germs that cause infections are primarily spread to patients on the hands of healthcare workers and that cleaning hands would be the No 1 way to reduce the spread of infection,” Mr Mills said.

Philippa Whitford, who is a surgeon and the SNP’s health spokeswoman, suggested that MPs should also wash their hands more often because they meet hundreds of people.

She said more MPs could wash their hands after eating, adding: “I do not see people forming a queue at the ladies.