In the UK over a million people are employed as carers and millions more provide informal care and support for relatives and friends. The Department of Health has drawn up a code of practice acknowledging that everyone involved in care provision needs training to tackle the risk of Health Care Acquired Infection (HCAI). This new CIEH qualification is designed as an introduction to hygiene and ensures that vulnerable people are not exposed to unnecessary risks. It will help everyone, including those in the private and voluntary healthcare sectors, to play their part in maintaining a clean and safe environment.