Infection Prevention and Control Policy

Infection Prevention Control Annual Statement

Purpose

An annual statement will be generated each year 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.

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
• Details of staff training
• Any review and update of policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Leads

Lead for Infection Prevention and Control within South Downs Health and Care LTD: Dr Miriam Malak (Chief Medical Office) and Kirstie Ingram (Chief Corporate Officer)

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, and learning is cascaded to all relevant staff.

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

Infection Prevention Audit and Actions

Regular audit and checks are undertaken, and actions plans in place. Premises have been redecorated and new cleaning schedules introduced. Regular service reviews are in place with cleaning contractors.

A deep clean was undertaken in September 2024 and will be repeated every 6 months.

Hand wash appliances have been audited throughout the surgery with new wall mounted dispensers for soap and alcohol gel implemented. SDHC have added wall mounted glove and apron holders.

Quarterly IPC audits of premises are ongoing, this will be undertaken by Operations Manager. Any concerns to be reported to CCO. SDHC use Safe management of the care environment Audit Tool for General Practice - Infection Prevention Control audit template.

SDHC plan to undertake the following audits in 2025:

• External audit is undertaken monthly to ensure cleaning standards are maintained. Quarterly IPC audits of the premises
• Annual audit of IPC including leadership
• Annual hand hygiene audit of all clinical staff is undertaken. SDHC will use Hand hygiene Audit Tool for General Practice - Infection Prevention Control audit template.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that best practice can be established and then followed. In the last year April 2024 – March 2025 the following risk assessments were carried out / reviewed:

Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment

SDHC has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors, or staff. External assessment is carried out monthly by NHS property services, staff also run taps twice weekly in all areas with sinks and record on the waterlog and on the admin booking form.

Immunisation

As a company SDHC ensure that all of our staff are offered any occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. Hep B, MMR, Coronavirus, Seasonal Flu) following risk assessment according to role. This is monitored by HR.

PPE

Staff and patients are supplied with face masks to wear (non-mandatory) when dealing with patients within our clinical services following a local risk assessment. Patients are encouraged to use hand gel on entry to the building. SDHC will review this guidance and risk assessment annually or sooner if national guidance requires.

SDHC deliver Coronavirus and Influenza National Immunisation campaigns for patients who are in care homes and who are housebound and offer covid vaccinations in house to our patient population. A phlebotomy and sexual health clinic are also offered.

Cleaning specifications, frequencies, and cleanliness

SDHC also have a cleaning specification and frequency policy which our cleaners and staff work to. An assessment of cleanliness is conducted by the cleaning team and IPC lead as an ongoing assessment, at monthly audit checks and annual audit.

Hand washing sinks

The premises have clinical hand washing sinks in every room for staff to use. All liquid soap dispensers and alcohol gel dispensers have been replaced throughout SDHC premises.

SDHC have no patient curtains in rooms or toys in the waiting room. No minor surgery is currently undertaken at SDHC.

Training

All clinical staff receive mandatory training in infection prevention and control (level 2).

Non-clinical staff receive mandatory training in infection prevention and control (level 1).

Policies

All Infection Prevention and Control related policies are regularly updated, staff can always access the most up to date copy on the Practice Index Hub.

Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff on the Practice Index platform and are shared with all new staff at induction. The policies are reviewed and updated annually, and all are amended as required if current advice, guidance and legislation changes. Updated Infection Prevention and Control policies will be circulated amongst staff when finalised.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.

Review date

January 2026

Responsibility for Review

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead is responsible for reviewing and producing the Annual Statement

Kirstie Ingram, CCO
Dr Miriam Malak, CMO