The invention provides a method for inhibiting bacterial attachment to a surface, the method comprising forming the surface from a polymer, or applying a polymer to the surface, wherein the polymer is a homopolymer formed from a (meth) acrylate or (meth) acrylamide monomer or a copolymer formed from one or more (meth) acrylate or (meth) acrylamide monomers, wherein the (meth) acrylate or (meth) acrylamide monomers are of formula (I) or (II): [H2C═CR′—C(═O)—O—]nR  (I) [H2C═CR′—C(═O)—NH—]nR  (II) wherein n is 1, 2 or 3, R′ is independently H or CH3, R is an organic group having a total of from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein the organic group includes an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and wherein the organic group does not include any hydroxyl groups.