Infection Control Annual Statement
July 2023
Purpose:
The annual statement will be generated each year in July 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.
As best practice, our Annual Statement will be published on the Practice website.
The Annual Statement should provide a short review of any:
Known infection transmission incidents and actions arising from this. Reported in accordance with our Significant Event procedure.
Details of any infection control audits undertaken and subsequent actions.
Details of any risk assessments undertaken for prevention and control of infection;
Details of staff training
Review and update of policies, procedures and guidance.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead:
Buxted, East Hoathly & Manor Oak Medical Centre has one Lead for Infection Prevention and Control:
The Nursing IPC lead for the practice is: Katie Aldred
The IPC Lead is supported by: Dr Sarah Perry, (Partner), Charlotte Luck (Practice Director) and Martha Newman (Operations Manager).
Infection transmission incidents (Significant Events):
Significant events (which may involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events) are investigated in detail at the time of the event to see what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements.
All significant events are reviewed regularly with the Operations Manager Martha Newman, the Practice Director Charlotte Luck and Nursing IPC Lead with learning cascaded to all relevant staff at various meetings. Significant events are also discussed as they arise at the regular senior management team meetings which usually happen fortnightly.
Significant events arising and relevant to IPC:
A positive ‘Covid’ case amongst a staff member following a face to face meeting in February 2022. A review of why it happened, what went well, what could have been done better and learning points was carried out and disseminated to the team.
Infection Prevention Control Audits & Actions:
The Annual Infection Prevention and Control Audit was completed across the three sites by the IC Nursing Lead Katie Aldred on commencement of the role in June 2022.
As a result of this audit, the following changes were put in place:
Healthcare Professionals daily cleaning schedules were enhanced. Designated staff became responsible for areas and allocated time was given to complete.
New furniture was purchased over the 3 sites to comply with the National Standards for Cleanliness.
Designated Infection Control Noticeboards were introduced in waiting areas to inform visitors/patients of relevant Infection Control news.
Smaller monthly Environmental Audits of each building have been introduced and are the responsibility of the ICL. This has resulted in a more robust process and allowed for any necessary alterations to be addressed in a more timely fashion.
Hand Hygiene Audits have been completed on a broad selection of staff, alongside annual training in this area. Outcome: High standards of Hand Hygiene maintained at all times.
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:
Clinical room chairs: The practice has conducted/reviewed the risk of transmission of infection on fabric clinical room chairs, as a result new wipe able ergonomic chairs were purchased.
Bins: The practice has conducted/reviewed the risk of transmission of infection on bin lids that are not foot pedal operated, as a result hands free bins have been ordered.
Legionella (Water) Risk Assessment: The practice has conducted/reviewed its water safety risk assessment to ensure that the water supply does not pose a risk to patients, visitors or staff.
Mask wearing: The practice has conducted/reviewed the risk of transmission of infection between receptionists, as mask wearing is not compulsory. To ensure good communication with service users, screens are in place, there is good ventilation and where possible receptionists remain distanced.
No Cleaners Room at MO: The practice has conducted/reviewed the risk of transmission of infection due to the sharing of the staff room with the cleaner’s cupboard. Proposal drafted to reconfigure layout of building and develop adequate/safe space for the cleaning company to store equipment.
Immunisation: As a practice we ensure all staff that are required to have a course are up to date with their Hepatitis B immunisations and offered any other occupational health vaccinations applicable to their role (i.e. MMR, Seasonal Flu,). An HR Manager has been appointed to ensure the streamlining of this service.
Cleaning specifications, frequencies and cleanliness: We have a cleaning specification and frequency policy which designated staff work to, signing when complete. This includes all aspects in the surgery including cleanliness of equipment.
Broad IPC risk assessment carried out in order to identify and rectify infrastructural risk.
Training:
All face fronting staff receive annual online training in infection prevention and control and all non-facing staff a minimum of biennial training.
Hand hygiene training is implemented and features as part of our induction. Staff receive regular reminders to view the uploaded NHS Hand Hygiene video and donning and doffing of PPE clip to remind themselves of the correct protocol.
Relevant Infection Prevention & Control presentations are regularly reviewed/updated and shared at clinical/non clinical meetings.
Policies:
Policies relating to Infection Prevention and Control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually, and are amended on an on-going basis as current advice, guidance and legislation changes.
Responsibility:
It is the responsibility of each individual to be familiar with this Statement and their roles and responsibilities under this.
Review Date:
July 2023.
Responsibility for review:
IC Lead together with the support of the Practice Director & Operations Manager.