Infection Control

Infection Control Annual Statement January 2024 (PDF Version)

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in January in accordance with the requirements of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. Also, the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021.

It summarises:

  • Any infection transmission incidents and any action taken (these will have been reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure)
  • Details of any infection control audits undertaken, and actions undertaken
  • Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship
  • Details of staff training
  • Any review and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead

The St Thomas Medical Group Lead for Infection Prevention and Control is Dr Lorna Coleman

The IPC Lead is supported by Heather Baker IPC Lead Nurse and Rachel Banks HCA

Both the IPC lead GP and nurse have attended IPC training courses and regular updates and keep updated on infection prevention practice annually.

Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events)

Significant events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements. All significant events are reviewed in the quarterly Practice meetings and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

In the past year there have been no significant events raised that related to infection prevention and control.

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

The infection prevention and control audits are carried out by the IPC Lead GP and the IPC Lead supporting team. In 2023 a substantial audit was completed at the Student Health Centre. Many of the clinical rooms were re-vamped and problems of storage of clinical equipment were resolved.

A general cleaning audit was conducted across all 3 sites, and this resulted in the Medical Group signing a new contract with a cleaning company called Archway Facilities. We are pleased to report this has resulted in a more rigorous and satisfactory level of cleanliness throughout.

We are currently setting up new audit processes in accordance with the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 guidelines and plan to audit both the St Thomas and Exwick sites during 2024.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed:

Immunisation: As a practice we ensure that all our new clinical staff are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role.

In 2023 we encouraged all our staff to boost their Covid and Seasonal Flu vaccines. We take part in the National Immunisation campaigns for patients and offer vaccinations in house and via home visits to our patient population.

Cleaning specifications, frequencies, and cleanliness: Following publication of the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness and employing a new cleaning company, we are currently working to format new cleaning specifications and frequencies which our cleaners and staff can work to. Once these are formatted and instigated, we will be carrying out regular reviews and audits to ensure we comply with the new guidance.

Training

All our staff undertake annual IPC (Infection Prevention & Control) training through Bluestream Academy.

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are reviewed and updated as required, on an annual basis.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

The Medical Group monitor antimicrobial prescribing closely and ensure prudent use of antimicrobials is adhered to as per national guidance.

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff, reviewed and updated annually and all are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance, and legislation changes. Infection Control policies are available for all staff to access electronically on TeamNet.

Review date

January 2025

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead GP and nurse are responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement for and on behalf of St Thomas Medical Group.