Infection Control Annual Statement 
(April 2022 – March 2023)
1.	PURPOSE

In line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of practice on prevention and control of infection (July 2015) and its related guidance, this Annual Statement will be generated each year.  It will summarise:

•	Any infection transmission incidents and any lessons learned and action taken
•	Details of any infection prevention and control (IPC) audits undertaken and any subsequent actions taken arising from these audits
•	Details of any issues that may challenge infection prevention and control including risk assessment undertaken and subsequent actions implemented as a result 
•	Details of staff IPC training 
•	Details of review and update of IPC policies, procedures and guidance
•	To highlight priorities for the upcoming year.

2.	INFECTION CONTROL LEAD

The Infection Control Lead will enable the integration of Infection Control principles into standards of care within the practice, by acting as a link between the surgery and Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Infection Control Team. They will be the first point of contact for practice staff in respect of Infection Control issues. They will help create and maintain an environment which will ensure the safety of the patient / client, carers, visitors and health care workers in relation to Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI). 

The Infection Control Lead will carry out the following within the practice:
•	Increase awareness of Infection Control issues amongst staff and clients 
•	Help motivate colleagues to improve practice
•	Improve local implementation of Infection Control policies 
•	Ensure that practice-based Infection Control audits are undertaken
•	Assist in the education of colleagues 
•	Help identify any Infection Control problems within the practice and work to resolve these, where necessary in conjunction with the local Infection Control Team
•	Act as a role model within the practice
•	Disseminate key Infection Control messages to their colleagues within the practice 

Practice Infection Control Lead (including sepsis): Dr Chandrakant Kumar
Cleaning and Decontamination Lead: Jenny Henderson

3.	SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
There have been no significant events reported regarding infection control issues in the period covered by this report.

4.	AUDITS / RISK ASSESSMENT
The following audits/ assessments were carried out in the practice 
•	Infection control annual audit    

o	Date of risk assessment: Februaury 2022
o	Audit Key findings: 

Staff immunisations under review. Some occupational health referrals outstanding

Ongoing cosmetic repair of walls

Replace carpeted communal areas with suitable hard surface

Check only laminated posters on walls – otherwise on noticeboard

Work towards cartridge only soap dispensers as replacements are required
	
Ensure all staff up to date with policy and e-learning
	
Dani centres in all clinical rooms

Staff chairs – work towards all wipe-able surfaces	

Need annual in-house IPC update for all staff to include hand hygiene review/sepsis recognition and cold chain policy	

•	Weekly environmental cleaning audit and monthly decontamination audit

•	Sharps audit 
•	Hand hygiene audit (no current issues)
•	Carpeted area risk assessment – to ensure appropriate cleaning whilst awaiting replacement hard flooring - reviewed
•	Handling urine samples risk assessment - reviewed
•	Handling sharps risk assessment - reviewed
•	Vaccine audit (no current issues)

5.	STAFF TRAINING
All staff are expected to ensure infection control e-learning is completed as a priority and all have been asked to read the policies (below). PLT infection control event pending. Email updates sent to staff when needed. 
6.	POLICIES, PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES
The Policies below have been reviewed and updated this Year. They are reviewed annually or earlier when appropriate due to changes in regulations and evidence based guidance. The current policies are provided by HARROGATE AND DISTRICT NHS FOUNDATION TRUST via infectionpreventioncontrol.co.uk Standard Infection Control Precautions
•	Aseptic Technique
•	Isolation of Service Users with an Infection
•	Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps
•	Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids (including sharps injuries)
•	Safe Handling and Disposal of Waste
•	Packaging and Handling of Specimens
•	Immunisation of Patients
•	Decontamination of Re-usable Medical Devices and Equipment
•	Single Use Medical Devices
•	Outbreaks of Infection / Communicable Disease/ Isolation of Infective Patients
•	Reporting of Infections to the Health Protection Agency or Local Authority
•	CJD / vCJD – handling of instruments and devices
•	Environmental Cleaning
•	Uniform Policy / Dress Code
•	Antimicrobial Prescribing

7.	PRIORITIES AND KEY POINTS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS     

See audit recommendations
Review and update policies and risk assessments

8.	COVID 19 

Our nurses are performing regular scheduled cleaning of communal areas and our clinicians routinely clean their space, equipment and hands in-between appointments.
We continue to be guided by local infection control team and national updatees