Embarrassed Oxford health managers have been given a slap on the wrist for a gaffe in a leaflet sent to 65,000 homes.

The controversial NHS leaflet

Two people have complained about a photograph of a patient receiving an injection from a nurse wearing jewellery, not wearing any protective clothing, and with loose hair.

It was used on the front of the pamphlet published by Oxford City NHS Primary Care Trust, informing city residents about health services in the area.

The trust has apologised for the mistake in the pamphlet, Your Guide to Local Health Services 2003/4, which cost £9,000 to produce.

Although there are no clear national guidelines about dress and hygiene, the Infection Control Nurses' Association said it advised nurses not to wear stone-inset rings, wrist jewellery or watches.

Vice chairman Jean Lawrence said: "Stoned-rings can harbour germs, and wrist jewellery can prevent proper hand-washing. The only time a nurse would wear protective clothes would be if they thought the patient posed a risk to their clothing.

"Patient expectations are that someone giving them an injection should have their hair tied back, but it's not actually an infection control problem. I'm quite surprised the PCT used something like this. Next time they send out leaflets, maybe they should involve the public to get better feedback in the first place."

There are no plans to reprint the pamphlet and a new edition is due to be produced later this year.

A PCT spokesman said: "We're sorry two people who received a copy of Your Guide to Local Health Services were unhappy with the photograph on the front cover. It was an unfortunate oversight and these issues will be looked at more carefully in the future."