Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Annual Statement 2023-2024

Purpose

This annual statement will be generated each year in December 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. The report will be published annually on the practice website and will include the following summary:

• 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 the prevention and control of infection
• Details of staff training
• Any review and update of policies, procedures and guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead

The lead for infection prevention and control at Rowhedge & University of Essex Medical Practice is Lindsey Malone (Practice Nurse)

Deputy IPC, Carol Richards (Nurse Manager)

The IPC Lead is also supported by Victoria Surtees (Operations Manager)

Infection transmission incidents (significant events)

Significant events involve examples of good practice as well as challenging events.

Positive events are discussed at meetings to allow all staff to be appraised of areas of best practice.

Negative events are managed by the staff member who either identified or was advised of any potential shortcoming. This person will complete a Significant Event Analysis (SEA) form that commences an investigation process to establish what can be learnt and to indicate changes that might lead to future improvements.

All significant events are reviewed and discussed in several meetings each month. Any learning points are cascaded to all relevant staff where an action plan, including audits or policy review, may follow.

In the past year there have been 0 significant events raised that related to infection control. There have also been 0 complaints made regarding cleanliness or infection control.

Infection prevention audit and actions

Following an external IP&C audit November 2022 the following actions have taken place

• All staff have undergone the annual Infection Prevention Control training
• Daily monitoring of the cleaning of clinical areas has been implemented and can be seen in each of the clinical rooms
• New flooring which complies with infection control standards has been fitted throughout both sites
• Hand Sanitiser stations have been fitted in all clinical areas
• Hand Moisturiser stations have been fitted in staff area at both sites.
• New wipeable chairs which are compliant with infection control have been ordered for all the clinical rooms
• Due to the standards of cleanliness at the University Health centre a new cleaning company has been instructed to start
• The annual hand hygiene audit has been completed and actions have taken place where needed
• Details regarding local infection control practitioners can be seen in the Treatment rooms at both sites

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are carried out so that any risk is minimised to be as low as reasonably practicable. Additionally, a risk assessment which can identify best practice can be established and then followed.

In the last year the following risk assessments were carried out/reviewed:

• General IPC risks
• Staffing, new joiners and ongoing training
• COSHH
• Cleaning standards
• Privacy curtain cleaning or changes
• The disposal of sharps

Training

In addition to staff being involved in risk assessments and significant events, at Rowhedge & University of Essex Medical Practice  all staff and contractors receive IPC induction training on commencing their post. Thereafter, all staff receive refresher training annually. The level of training is dependent on the staff members role and responsibilities.

Policies and procedures

The infection prevention and control related policies and procedures which have been written, updated or reviewed in the last year include, but are not limited, to:

• Infection Prevention Control Policy V8.0
• Hazardous/Clinical Waste Management Policy
• Staff Immunisation Policy

Policies relating to infection prevention and control are available to all staff and are reviewed and updated annually. Additionally, all policies are amended on an ongoing basis as per current advice, guidance and legislation changes.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all staff members at Rowhedge & University of Essex Medical Practice to be familiar with this statement and their roles and responsibilities under it.

Review

This annual statement will be reviewed on or before November 2024 by the IPC lead.