Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) is recognised as a major and increasing problem to health (Scottish Executive 2002a). National strategies are being considered to address the problem. This article describes how one Scottish higher education institution collaborated to identify, adapt and implement the Cleanliness Champions programme – a national infection control educational initiative – in established undergraduate nursing and midwifery curricula. The result was that undergraduate nursing and midwifery students were included in the national campaign to tackle HCAI in Scotland.